
Book -Cl4- 




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PIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 

OF THE 

ILLUSTRIOUS 

0EN. GEORGE WASHINGTON, 

LATE PRESIDENT 

OP THE 

United States of America, id^c ^c.» 

CONTAINING 

A History of the Principal Event? of Ms Llfe^ 

with Extracts from his Jonrnalc, 

Speeches to Congress, and 

Public Addresses. 

ALSO 

A SKETCH OF HIS PRIVATE LIFE.' 



FO¥KTH EDITION. 



BRATTLEBOROUGH : 

PajNTRD BY WILLIAM FESSEND.E.X 
I8i!, 



BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS, 

OF , 

jSen. GEORGE Washington, m^, * 

%ate President of the United States , £i?c. Ssf^^; 



GEORGE WASHINGTON was born VehM^, 
ary 22d, 1732, in the Parish of Washington, in 
Westmoreland County, in the itate of Virginia. 
His ancestors were possessed of property in Eng- 
land, near Cave, in the east riding of Yorkshire, 
which they sold, and came over to America^ in the 
year 1657, and purchased lands in Kmg George's 
County, Virginia. His father,Mr. Auj^tilfcis Wash- 
ington, was the second in descent after their emi- 
gration, and had a numerous offspring. He was 
possessed of large property, and of distinguished re* 
pntation. George was his third son, aiid the first 
fruit of his second marriage. He received his ed- 
ucation under the eye of his father, from a private 
lutor, under whom he acquired a knowledge of the 

-atin language, sufficient for the ordinary purpos- 
es of life, his mother-tongue grammatically, and the 
«=.'iements of mathematics^ which he, in >his rising 



4 BlrgropJural Mmom of 

years, carefullv improved by practical ex};erim6ntg 
in topographical *nd military plans. When he 
was but ten years of age, his father died, and at 
fifteen, he was entered a midshipman on board a 
British Lhip of war then stationed on the coast of 
Virginia. But after hh baggage had been packed 
up for embarkation, the plan was abandoned in o- 
Leuience t% the calls of maternal affection. For 
5evera^ years after he quitted his tutor, the learning 
he had acquired was much improved b> a disposi- 
tion to study, ani he particularly applied himself 
to the practical parts of surveying, a knowledge of 
which was then, as it is now, very important and 
necessary to men of landed, property in every part 
cf the American continent. His merits in this 
branch of knowiedo-e, occasioned him beinjii; nomi- 
J^ated .Surveyor to a certain district in Virginia, an 
appointment rather creditable than lucrative ; but 
which afforded him advantageous opportunities, 
partica arly'an aViuaintance with the country, tho 
properties ol lands, and the situations and direc- 
tions of <*eck3 and rivers, and it enabled him to 
make'a choice of some valuable tracts of land for 
subsequent purchase. 

Art«r his fatb-er died, the charge of the family 
devolved on his eldest brother Lawrence, a young 
man of the most promising talents ; who, at that 
time, was a captain under admiral Vernon, in the 
coionia! troops, employed in the expedition a p^ainst 
Carthagena ; upon his return, having come in^o 
the.possestion of his patrimonial estates, in honour 
of his ^idmiral, from whom he had received many 



9ivUitjes, be najra-id iiii ia hv ms^ Vernc^* 

lie was afterv.^rds \r.*iv. «:lji r of the 

militia of Virginia, \>-^^ did not iong survive, and 
on his demise (notwittutavidina; \]\rte were heirs 
t)f an elder branch, wlio [jossess a brgt- share of the 
patrimony) the efdcst son by the second marriage^ 
inherited the part iipoij wtuch that beat now stand?, 
and a conslderaclr, lar/ -^ property attached to it. 

At the death cS ii mother, thf v:icant office 
of adjutant-general wii- in conseqneiKk) of the enw 
creased population and extensive iiiwits of the ccl- 
tjny, divided inta three districts, and iheuture Re'- 
ro of America f hefjx'v, he was twenty year; oC »ge» 
began his military career, by an a!>pointm«nt to 
the rank of major la thai departmerit. 

In 175B, an event occurred, which zi^lied his a» 
bilities into nmnre .'Active pobric .aotic.^ li^e jeal- 
ousies of the French and Ktig;lii:h gr.venjments 
were at their height. Encroach lY'&iils were re- 
ported to havi bv=?f:n madii by the fof*.vie^ from theif 
settlements in Canada, oii^the frontier tirritories of 
tlie British C{)lo2iies, along tije rivers Cnio and de 
Boeuf.* Ordts were reeeived from Ei'^land, by 
the governor and oouuc'i of Vir^'ini \r: repel by 
force these encranchm/ nt? ; in conse'. aen . e of which;, 
iieutentant. governor D:'nwiddie dinpalc .ed youn* 
major Washington, with plenary pnv^iS to ascer- 
tain the facti^, ireat with the Indian- . ■-. id to en- 
g>ige them to continue firm in thei: t jhment to 
Englun J, and ic. wa. ■•. tr.c Frencl) '■. o • .. t from tii?* 

* i'rench ( 
A5J 



6 BicgYcfi'tcal MemoiYS ©/ 

inroads they were making, in direct violation 
the treaties then subsisting between the two crov/ 
This mi^; ion he perfomied with singular industi 
inteli.gtnce and address. 

The appointment of major Washington w 
dcensed a circumi^tance^o^iewhat extraordinary 
that period ; it was said that a youth unacqnai 
cd witli the enlarged coiKivierce of the world, i 
experienced in p(jlitical concerns, appeared to 
un t to be employed to cojiduct a negotiatic 
Avherein subjects of the greatest i.nportance we 
tiiva.ved : it was very true rhat tlie subjects w 
iinpaj^arit, f(^r they siiortly tiittV became the < 
gin o! a war betv/een the two nations, v\'hich rt, 
ed for many years, and extended throughout ev*T 
part ol tlie giobe, and which ende^i in the linal ( ■ 
pulsion of the French froro the continent. 

Bui those who had formed such superficial n 
tionj^ of the in«jor, were, in the end, deceived d 
th.o success and *ibilities manifested tiirough 1' 
vvhoie transaction. This having been the first 
fort of ihut ?areer' which has terminated with 
iTMQh spie.idour m historj', and honour and h; 
piness to himself aud hi» country. It will be pi 
Sing to peruse his journal, given in as a report 
his proceedings to governor Dinwiddieof Virgini 
on thatoccasion ; it is highly illustrative of that a 
tivity and penetration which have signalised h 
character on a more extensive theatre, at a subv; 
queiit perfod. • , 



General George JVashin^foa* ,J^ 

\Iajor George Wailiington's Journal. 

S'efrt by tJie Hon. Robert Dmiv'tddle, Esq. ; Z."; ^^ajes-^^ 
;y*s DeutcJiant-Governor, mid Coinnumdsr m Ch'ieJ of 
r^irghila, to the (Jonwiandani of the Hrencli forces on. 
%; Otuo. 

Wednesday, Ociclev 31, 1T53. 
I was commissioned and appointed b/ the Hon. 
^■. bert Dtnwiddie, Esc., governor, ^:c of Vir;;inift, 
. v'.-l> and deliver a letter to the Commandant of 
■ Fr-nc.-i forces on tlie Ohio, and set out on tiio 
;.ded jourr.eV the sarae day ; The next, I t^rri- 
i at Frederiuhsbiirgh, and engaged Mr, JacoI> 
Vanbram to bs my i''rer;ch interpreter; and pTO- 
. ded with him to riiexandria, wiiere we provid- 
necessaries. From thence we v/ent to Win- 
<: tester, and ='ot bajra'a-aje, iiorses, ^'c. and from 
*' -rnce we pui^isued the iie^ ro:id to Wills Creek, 
•re we arrived the l4th of November, 
lere I erig-jged Mr. GiSt to pilot ns out, and al- 
ii ired four .'thers as servitor^;. Barnaby Currin 
\ John Mac (iuire, Indian traders, Henry Stew- 
and William Jeiikins ; and, in company with- 
-e persoiis, left the inhabitants the next day. 
The excessive rains and vast quantity of sriow 
lich hid fallen, prevented our reaching Mr. Fra- 
•'s, an Indian trader at the mouth of 'iurtle 
-ek, on Monongahela river, till Thursday the 
i. We were informed here, that expresses had 
' n sent a few days before to the traders down 
; riy^, to acquaint Uiera with the Frei^ch gei^ 



6, Blogi'atJmal MemaYs of 

eraPs death, and the return of the major part o/. 
the French army into winter quarters. The wa- 
ters were quite impassable, without swimming our 
horses ; which obliged us to get the loan of a ca- 
noe from Frazier, and to send Barnaby Currin, and 
Henry Stewart, down the Monongahela, with ou^ 
baggage, to meet us at tlie forks of the Ohio, about 
ten miles, there to cross the Aligany.* 

As I got down before the canoe, I sp€nt some 
time in viewing the rivers, and the land in the 
Fork, which I think extremely well sitnated for a 
fort, as it has the absolute coiacnaRd of both rivers* 
The land at the point is 20 or 25 feet P.beve th<; 
common surface of the water ; and a consideraltle 
bottom of flat well-timbered land all around it, very 
convenient for building: The rivers are each a 
quarter of a mile, or more, across, and run here 
very near at right angles , Ati;:rany bearing N. Ei 
and Monongahela S. E. The former of these two 
is a very rapid and swift running water ; the oth^ 
deep and still, without' any perceptible fall. 

About two miles from this, on the South East 
«lde of the river, at the place where the Ohio com- 
pany intended to erect a fort, lives Shingiss, king 
of the Delawares : We called upon him to invil« 
him to council at the Loggs Town, 

A.s I had taken a good deal of notice yesterday 
of the situation at the Forks, my curiosity led me 
to examine this more particularly, and I think ^t 

* Th^ Ohjo atid AlUgw^ are the sum^ rivers.- 



Oen&ral George il'aihhrgfoft* 'S 

greatly inferior, either for defence or advantages, 
especially the latter ; For, a fort at the Forks would 
be equally well situated on the Ohio, and have the 
entire command of the Monongahela ; which runs 
up to our settlements, and is extremely well de- 
signed for water carriage, as it is of a deep, still na- 
ture. Besides, a fort at the Fork might be built 
at much less expense than at the other place. 

Nature hsis well contrived this lower place for 
water defence ; but the hill whereon it must stand, 
being about a quarter of a mile in length, and thea 
descending gradually on the land side, will render 
it diflicult and very expensive, to make a sujRRcient 
fortification the-v". The whole flat upon the hili 
must be taken in, the side next the descent made 
extremely high, or else the hill itself cut away : 
Otherwise, the enemy may raise b: tteries within 
that distance without being expesed to a single 
shot from the fort. 

Shingiss attended u3 to the Loggs-tov/n, wherfe 
we arrri ved between sun setting and dark, the 'i5th 
day after I left Williamsburgh. We trr^ veiled o- 
ver some extrem« good and bad land, to get to tliis 
place. 

As soon as I came into town, I went to Mona- 
featoocha (as the half-kin;^ was out »t l)is hunting 
cabin on little Beaver-Cisek, about io miles off) 
and informed him by John Davison, my Indian 
interpreter, that I was sent a m-essengtr to the 
Frencli general ; and was ordered to call upon the 
Sachems of the Six-Nations, to acquaint theai with 



1 IJ'iogrnphtcal Memom rf 

'it. I gave him a string of wampum,* and a twist" 
of tobacco, and desired him to send for the half- 
Icing ; which he promised to do by a runner in the 
morning, and for ether Sachems. I invited him 
?.nd the other great men present, to my tent, 
where they stayed about an hour and then return- 
ed. 

According to the Kest observations I could 
make, Mr. Gill's new settlement (which w^e pas- 
leed by) bears about W. N. W. 70 miles from 
Wills-Creek, Shanapins, or the Forks N. by W. 
or N. N. W. about 50 miles from that : and from 
thence to Loggs-town^ the course is nearly west a- 
bout 18 or 20 miles : So that the whole distance^ 
as we went and computed it, at least 135 or 14Q 
fniles from our back inhabitantSo 

25th. Came to town 9 or 10 Frehchnven who 
had deserted from a company at the Kuskaskas, 
"which lies at the Aiouth of this river. 1 got the 
following account from them. They were sent 
from New-Orleans with 1©0 men, and 8 canoe 
!oad> of provisions to this place ; where they ex-, 
pected to have met the same number of men, from*" 
the forts on this side of Lake Erie, to convey them 
and the stores up, who were not arrived when they 
?un off. 

I enquired into the situation of the French, om 
the Mississippi, their number, and what forts they 
had built. They informed me, that tjieie were 

* A kind of Indian Money; also given ap a pa-es^nt 
-c^ m;trk of friendship. 



General George JVasKm^on^ 1 )t 

ipur- small forts between New-Orleans and tlia 
Black Islands, garrisoned with about 30 "or 40 
snen, and a few small pieces in each : That at 
New-Orleans, which is near the mouth of the 
Mississippi, there are ^5 companies of^ 40 mea 
^ch, with a pretty strong fort mounting 8 car- 
riage g"ins ; and at the Black Islands there arc 
several companies and a fort with 6 guns. Tha 
JBlack Islands are about 130 leagues above th^ 
mouth of the Ohio, which is afeout 350 above 
New-Orleans. They also acquainted me, thatj 
ttiere was a small pallisadoed fort on the Ohio, 
at the mouth of the Obaish, about 60 leagues 
from the Mississippi. The Obaish* heads near 
the west end of Lake Erie, and affords the com- 
innnication between the French on the Mississippi 
and those on the I^kes. Th«Pe deserters came u^ 
from the lower Shannoah-town with one Brown, 
^n Indian Trader, and were going to Philadel. 
phia. 

About 3 o'clock this evening the half king 
came to town. I went up and invited him witb 
I-avidson, privately, to my tent ; and desired him 
to relate some of the particulars of his journey to 
|he French commandant, and reception there; 
^Iso to give me an account of the ways and dis-* 
knee. He told me that the nearest an* levellest; 
Way was now impassable, by reason of many large 
miry savannas ; that we must be obliged to go by 
l^enango, and should not get to' the near fort un. 



12 B'lcgrapJncal Memoirs of 

der five or six nights sleep, and good travell'.M^. 
"When he went to the fort, ha said he was recei/- 
cd m a very stern manner by the late commander i 
who asked him very abruptly, what he had came 
about, and to declare his business : which he said 
he did in the following speech .-— 

** Fathers, I am come to tell you yovT ov/j; 
speeches ; what your own mouths have declan 4. 
Fathers, you, in former days, set a, silver bason be- 
fore us, wherein there v/as a leg of a beaver, and 
desired all the nations to come and eat of it ; to 
eat in peace and plenty, and not be churlish to one 
another : And that 'if any such per?on should be 
found to be a disturber^ I here lay down by th« 
edge of the dish a rod, which you must scourge 
them with ; and if I, your father, should get fool- 
ish in my old days, I deilre you may r*-e it upon 
me as well as others. 

** Now, fathers, it is you v/ho are the distui-b^f 
in this land, by comij.g and building your towns ^ 
and taking it away unknown to us, and by force. 

" Fathers, we kindled a fire a long time ago 
at a place called Montreal, vrhere we desired yoi 
to stay, and not to come and intrude upon ou? 
land. I now desire that you may dispatch to tha' 
place; for be it known to you, fathers, that tiiis i 
our land, and not yours. 

" Fathers, I desire you may hear me in civilness; 
if not, we must handle that rod which was laic 
-down for the use of the obstreperous. If you hac 
come m a pea:eabie manner, like our brothers tbt 



Cenera! George Washington, 13 

English, we should not have been against your 
srading; with us, as they do; But, to come, Fatheriy 

d build homes upon our land, and to take it by forces 
is ivh't nve car not suhnit to* 

" Fathers, both you and the English are white, 
we live in a country between ; therefore, the land 
belongs to neither one nor the other : But the great 
^tVAcr^ above allowed it to be a place of residence 
for us ; so fathers I desire you to withdraw, as I 
have done our brothers the English : F.er I will 
keep you at arm's kngth. I lay this down as a 
trial for both, to see which will have the greater 
regard to it, and that side we will stand by, and 
nris.ke equal shares with us. Our brothers the En- 
glish have heard thiF, and I come now to tei' it to 
vou ; for I am npt afraid to discharge you off this 
land." 

This he said was the substance of what he 
spoke to the general, who made this reply : 

" Now, mj child, I have heard your speech ; 
You spoke first, but it is my time to speak now. 
Wiiere ib my wampum that you fook away, with 
the marks of towns in it ? This wampum I do not 
know, which you have discharged me off the land 
with : But you need not put yourself to the trou- 
ble of sjjeaking, for I will not hear you. I am not 
afrxid ot files, or niusquetoes, for Indians are such 
as those. I tell you, down that river I will go, 
tind I»Mi';' upon it, according to my command. If 
the river was blocked up, I have"^ forces sufficient 
to burst it open, 'and tread imder my feet all that 
B 



M. Bfc^mPh'ical Memom of 

slan3 in opptjsition, together with their alliances ; 
for my force is as the sand upon the sea-shore ^ 
^rherefore,here is your wampum, 1 fling it at you. 
Child you talk foolish ; you say this land belongs 
to you, bi!t there is not the black of my nail yours. 
I saw that land sooner than you did, before I lie 
Shannoahs and you were at war : Lead was the 
man who went down and teok possession of that 
river ; It h my land, and J will have it, let who 
will stand up for or say against it. I will buy and 
sell with the English (mockingly.) If people will 
be ruled by me, they may expect kindness, but not 

The half king ^^M me he. had enquired of the 
general after tv/o Englishm.en who v/ere made pris- 
vnQii, ai.d rc'^eived this answer :* 

" Child, you think it a very great hardsln'p that 
I made prisoners of those two people at Venango, 
To n«'t concern ycurscif with it ; We took and 
carrier: them to Canada, to get intelligence of what 
the li'rglish were doing in Virginia." 

He informed me thut they had built two fcrt?, 
one on Lake Erie, and another on French Creek, 
ii^ar a small lake about htteen miles asunder, and 
a large wuggen-road between : They are both af- 
ter the fame model, but different in size ; that on 
the lake the largest. He gave me a plan of them^ 
or bis own drawing. 

'Ihe Indians enquired very particular after thei? 
■||otber5 in Carolina gaol. 

T'li^y aJ^o agkcd what s^rt qf a boy it was wjigf 



Ccnefol Oeorge WasKm^oii, , IB 

Was tkken from the Sou+h Branch; for tliey werf^ 
told bv some Indians, that a p-drty of French In- 
dians iiad carried a v/hite boy by Kaskaska Town, 
towards the lake. 

November 26, 1753, we met in council, at the 
Long House, at about 9 o'clock, where I spoke to 
them as follows :— 

« Brothers, I have called you too-ether hi coun- 
cil, by order of your brother, the governor of Vir- 
ginia, to acquaint you, that I am sent, with all 
possiu e dispatch, to visit, and deliver a letter to the 
t'rench commandant, of very great 'mportance to 
your brothers the English j and I dare ?ay to }tJU| 
their friends and allies. 

" i u/as desired, brothers, hy your brother, the 
governoh, to ca^l upon you, the ^ach-e as of the na- 
tions, to inform you cf it, and -^o ask your advici© 
and assistance to proceed the n^irt^st \nd best road 
to the French. You see, brothers. I have gotten 
thus I far on my journey. 

" His honaur likewise desir'-d me to apply to 
you for some of your young rneii, to conduct auci 
provide provisions for us on our way ; and be a 
safeguard against those Reach Lidions who have ta- 
ken up the iiatchet against us. I have spoke this 
partiouiariy to j'ou, Dro\hers, because his honour. 
Our governor, treats yon as good friends and allies 5 
and holds y ou in great esteem. 'Vo confirm what 
I have said, T give this string of wampum*" 

niter tugy had considered for some time on 
the above discourse, the half king got up an^ 



1 6 Bhgrnphlcal Alcmotrs of 

" Now my brother, in regard to what ray firo- 
ther the governor had desired me, I return you this 
answer. 

" I rely upon you as a brother ought to do, as 
you say we are brothers and one people. We shall 
put heart in hand, and speak to our fathers the 
Prench concerning the speech they made to me; 
and you may depend that we will endeavour to be 
your guard. 

" Brother, as you have asked my advice, I hope 
you wili be ruled by it, and stay till I can provide 
A company to go with yon. The French speech 
belt is not here. I have it to go for to my hunt- 
ing cabin : likewise the people whom 1 have or- 
dered in are not yet come, nor cannot till the thir4 
*)ight from this ; till which time, brolhcr, I must 
beg you to stay. 

" I intend to send the guard oi M<ngcs^ S^anjicaks, 
avd Ddo.niH'.rcs^ that our brothers may see the love 
and loyalty we bear them." 

As I had orders to make all possible dispatch, 
and waiting here was very contrary to my inclina- 
tion, I thanked him in the most suitable manner I 
could ; and told hiio that rny business, required the 
greatest expedition, and v/ould not admit of deiav. 
He was not v/cll pleased that I should cfTer to go 
before the time he ha4 appointed, and toki me that 
he could not consent to our going without a g'^ard, 
for fear some accident should befall us, and draw a 
reflection ujCJn him. Eeside^:, says he, this is a 
matter of no small moniei.r, and must not be enter- 
e^ into without due consjd«ratipn : for now I intend 



General George WasJun^m. It 

to deliver ap the French speech helt, and make 
the Shannoahs and Delawares do the same. And 
accordingly he gave orders to the king Shingiss, 
who was present, to attend on Wednesday night 
with the wampunfi, and two nien of their nation 
to be in readiness to set out with us the next mor- 
ing. As I found it impossible to get off without 
affronting them in the most egregious manner, I 
consented to stay. 

I gave them back a string of wampum, which 
I met with at Mr. Frazier';3, and which they sent 
with a sjjeech to his honour the governour, to in- 
form him, that three nations of French Indians, 
viz. Chippoways, Ottoways, and Orundaks, had 
taken up the hatchet against the English ; and 
desired them to repeat it over again : but this they 
postponed doing till they met in full council with 
the Shannoah and Delaware cliiefs. 

27th. Runners v/ere dispatched very early h'r 
the Shannoah chiefs. The half king set out him- 
self to fetch the French speech belt from his hunt* 
ing cabin. 

28th. He returned this evening, and came 
with Monokatoocba, and two other Sachems to 
my tent ; and begged (as they had complied with 
his honour the governor's req^uest, in providing 
men, &e.) to know on wljat business we were go- 
ing to the French ? This was a question I all a- 
long expected, and had provided as satisfactory an- 
swers to, as I coiild^ whicli ai.'a-ved their curiosity 
* little. 

B2 



8-J piogmpKical Memoirs of 

Monokatoocha informed me, that an Tndiaa 
from Venango brought news, a few days ag*f; that 
the French had called all theMingoes, Delawares, 
&c, together at that place ; and told them tiiat 
they intended to have been down the river this 
fall, but the waters were growing cold, and the 
winter advancing, which obliged them to go into 
quarters ; but that they might assuredly expect 
them in the spring, v/ith a Tar greater numbtr; 
and de^nred that they might be quite pat^ive, and 
not to intermeddle, unless they had a- mind to 
draw all their force upon them : for that they ex- 
pected to fight the English three years (as they 
.supposed there would be some attemptsi made to 
stop them) in which time they should conquer: 
but that if they should prove equally strong they 
and the Fnglisi) would join to cut tliem hii olf, 
and divide the land between thei . : that though 
they had lost their general, ard some few cf their 
soldiers, yet there were men enjugh to reinforce 
them, and make them maiters of the Ohio. 

This speech, he said, was delivered to them by 
one captain Joncaire, their interpreter in chief, liv^ 
ing at Venango, and a man of note in the army. 

29th. The haif-king and Moi^okatooclia cam« 
very early and begged me to stay one day more; 
for, notwithstanding they had used all the dili- 
gence in their pov/er, the Shannoah chiets had 
riGt brought the wampum they had ordered, but 
would certainly be in this night : li not, they 
•would dela} me no longer, out would send it af- 
tg H§ s^s s^ofl a2 they ajrived. W^^ I ^^"^4 



General George IVashlngfofU 10 

them so pressing in their request, and knew that 
the returning of wampum was the abolishing of 
agreements, and givmg this up, was shaking off 
ali dejiendence upon the French, 1 consented to 
stay, as I believed an offence offered at this crisis, 
might be attended witli greater i-l consequence than 
another day's delay. Th-y also infor:Vied me 
that Shingids could not get in iiis men ; and was 
prevented from coming himself by his wife's sick- 
ness, (I believe, bv fear of the French) but that the 
I' wampum of that nation was lodged with Kusta- 
ioga, one of their chiefs, at Venango. 

In the evening late, they came again and ac- 
quainted me that the Shannoah were not yet ar- 
rived, but that it should not retard the prosecution 
of our journey. He delivered in my hearing, the 
epoeches that were to be made to the French by 
Jeskakake, one of their old chiefs, which was giv- 
ing up ttie belt the iate commandant had asked 
for, Mid repeating near the same speech he himself 
I had done before. 

^ He also dehvered a string of wampum to this 
I chief who was ;ent by kmg Shingiss, to be given 
;tj) Kuotaloga, with orders to repair to the French, 
and deliver up the wa)npum, 
, He likewise gave a very large string of black 
land white wam_ :m, vv hich v/as to be sent up im- 
mediately to the Six Nations, if the French refus- 
ed to quit the land at this warning ; which was 
the third time, and was the right of this Jaskakake 
to deliver, 
3X)th. tiist night % great men assembly, at 



5d BlograpMcal MemoWs of 

their council house, to consult further about \h\^ 
journey, and who v/ere to go: the result of which 
was, that only three of their chiefs, with one of 
their best hunters, should be our convoy. The 
reason they gave for not sending more, after what 
had been proposed at council the 26th, was that a 
greater number mights give the French suspicions 
®f some bad design, and cause them to be treated 
rudely : but I rather think the/ could not get their 
hunters in. 

We set out about 9 o'clock with the half king 
Jeskakake, White Thunder, and the Hunter ; and 
travelled on the road to Venango, where we ar- 
rived the 4th of December, without any thing re- 
markable happening, but a continued series of bad 
weather. 

This is an old Indian town, situated at the 
mouth of French- Creek on Ohio; and hes near N. 
about sixty miles from the Loggs-town, but more 
than seventy the way we were obliged to go. 

We found the French colours hoisted at a house 
fVom which wo had driven Mr. John Frazier, an 
English subject. I immediately .repaired to it, to 
know where the commander resided. There were 
three officers, one of whom, captaiii Joneaire, in- 
formed me that he had the command of the Ohio ; 
but that there was a generaUofficsr at the near fort, 
where he advised me to apply for an answer. He 
invited us to sup with them ; and treated us with 
the greatest complaisance. 

The wine, as they dozed themselves pretty plen- 
tifully wit]i it, st^ii feftnJsUed the restraint whicli 



General George WasJiington, 21, 

at fir-t, appeared in their conversation ; and gave a 
licence to their tongues to reveal their sentiments, 
more freely. 

They told me, that it was their absolute design 
to take possession of the Ohio, and by G** they 
would do it ; for that although they were sensible 
the ^^".nglish could raise two men for their one;. 
yet they knew, their motions were too slow and 
dilatory to prevent any undertaking of theirs. 
They pretend to have an undoubted right to the 
river from a discovery made by one La Solle, sixt/ 
years ao:o ; and the rioC of this expedition is, to 
prevent our settling on the river or waters of it, as 
they had heard of some families moving out in or- 
der thereto. From the best intelligence I eould 
get, there have been 1500 men on this side Onta- 
rio Lake ; but upon the death of the general, all 
were recalled to about six or seven hundred, who 
were left to gwirr'son four forts, one hundred and fi/, 
ty or thereabouts in each. The first of them is on 
French- Creek, near a small Lake, about sixty miiej 
from Venango, near N. N- W. The next lies on 
Lake- Erie, waere the greater part of their stores 
are kept, about fifteen '.niles from the other From 
this it is one hundred and twenty miles tothecap- 
rying-.place, at liie falls of Lake Erie, v/here there 
is a s..na;l f>>rt ; which they lodge their goods at, 
in brinj^tog them from Monti?eai, the place whence 
ail their stores come from. The next fort lies a- 
bout twenty miles from this, on Ontario-Lake. 
Between chis fort and Montreal there are three 
I others, the first of which is nearly opposite to th? 



"S0 3lograpMcal Maaom of 

JBnglish fort of Oswego. From th« fort on I^ke 
Erie to Montreal, h about ^'^x liundred roiie?, 
which they say requires no more, if good w'^a'cher, 
than four weeks' voyage, if tliey go in barks or 
jarge vessels, so they naay cross the lake • but if 
they come in canota it will require nve or six 
weeks, for they are obliged K> keep under thje 
shore. 

5th. Rained excessively all day, \v!:ich prs- j 
Vented our travelling. Captain Joncaire sent for J 
the half-king, as he had but just heard that Ke 
came with me : he affected to be :tiuch concerned 
that I did not make free to bring- thern in before. 
I excused it in the best mannet 1 wa? capable, ani 
told him, I did not think their company agreeable^ 
as ) had heard him say a good (\eixl in dispraise of 
Indians in general. But another motive prevent- 
ed me from brins^ing them into his company : I 
knew h« was interpreter, and a person of very 
great influence among the Indians, and had lately 
yx^Q^ all possible means to draw them over to their 
interest ; therefore I was desirous of givii^g do op- 
portunity that could be avoided. 

When they came in, there was great pleasure 
expressed at seeing them. He wondered how 
they coulu be so near without coming to vi^it 
him; made several trilling presents; and appliedi 
liquor so fast, that they were soon rendered mca- 
ipable of the business they come about, notwith- 
standing the caution which was given. 

6th. The half king ^:ame to n)y tent, quite so« 
^er, apd iDeisted very much thiit 1 shculd bii^y an& 



(fcnsral George IVash'wgton^ ^, 

iicar what he had to say to the French. I fain 
(voiild have prevented his speaking any thing, till 
he came to the commandant ; but could not pre- 
vail. He told me, that at this place a council 
fire was kindled, where all their business with 
those people was to be transacted : and that the 
management of th^ Indian affairs was left solely 
to Mens. Joncaise. A.s I w?.s desirous of knowing 
the issue of this, I agreed to stay : but sent our 
horses a little ways up French Creek, to raft over 
and encamp : whiph I knew wouW make it near 
night. 

About ten o'clock they met In council. The 
king spoke much the same as he had before done 
totlie general ; and offered tlie French speech belt 
which had before been demanded with the marks 
of four towns on it, which Mons. Joncaire refused 
to receive : bat desired hira to carry it to the fort 
to the commauder. 

7tli. Mons. La Force, commissary of the 
Frencli stores, and three other soldiers, came over 
to accompany us iip. Vv'^e found it extremely 
difficult to get the Indians off to-day, as every 
stratagem had been used to prevent their going 
lip with me. I had last night left John Davidson 
(the Indian Interpreter) whom I had brought with 
me from town, and strictly charged him not to 
be out of their company, as I could not get tlieni 
over to my tent: for they had some business with 
Kustaloga, cniefly to knew the reason why he 
did not deliver up the French belt which he had 
in keepin-^ : but I was obliged to ^xii Mr. Gist 



2i Blcgrapk^cal Memoirs of 

over to day to fetch them; which he aid with 
great »er5nision. 

At twelve o'clock we set out for the fort, and 
were prevented from arriving there till the 1 1th, 
by excessive rains, snows, and bad travelling, 
through many mires and swamps. These we 
were obliged to pass, to avoid crossing the creek, 
which was impossible either by fording or rafting, 
the water was so high and rapid. 

We passed over much good land since we left 
Venango, and through several extensive and very 
rich meadow^s ; one of^which, I bsiieve, was near 
four miles in length, and considerably wide in some 
places. * 

12th. I prepared early to wait upon the com- 
mander, and was received and conducted to him 
by the second officer in command. I acquainted 
him with my business, and offered my commission 
and letter : both ef which he desiral me to keep 
till the arrival of Mons. i^aparti, captain, at tha 
next fort, who was sent for, and expected eyety 
liour. 

This commander is a knight of the military or- 
der of St. Lewis, and named T,egar::^eur de St, 
Pierre. He is an elderly gentlemai;, b.rcl has much 
the air of a soldier. He wa? sent over to take the 
command, immediately upon the death of the late 
general, and arrived here but about seven days be- 
fore me. 

At two o'clock the gentleman who \* as sent 
for arrive:!, when I offered the letter, cl'c. again y 
which they recei\'td^ udjaurned ixito a }.i ivat<? a- 

I 



General George IVashhigton. 25 

partment for the captain to translate, who under- 
stood a Jittle English. After he had done it, the 
commander desired I would walk in, and bring 
my interpreter to peruse and correct it ; which I 
did. 

1 3th. The ahief officers retired, to hold a coon- 
cil of war ; which gave me an opportunity of ta- 
king the dimensions of the fort, and making what 
observations I could. 

It is situated on the south, or west fork of French 
creek, near the water ; and is almost surrounded 
by the creek, and a small branch of it which forms 
a kind of island. Four houses compose the sides. 
The bastions are made of piles driven into the 
ground, standing more than twelve feet above it, 
ajid .sharp at the top ; with port holes cut for can- 
non, and loop holes for the small arms to fire 
through. There are eight 6 lb. pieces mounted in 
each bastion ; and one piece of four pounds before 
the gate. In the bastions are a guard. house, chap- 
el, doctor's lodging, and the commander's private 
store ; round which are laid platforms for the can- 
non and men to stand on. There are several bar- 
racks v/ithout the fort fer the soldiers' dwelling ; 
covered, some with bark, and some with boards, 
mdde chiefly of logs. There are also several other 
houses, such as stables, smith's shop, &c. 

I could get no certain account of the number 
of men here ; but a( cording to the best judgment 
I could form, there are an hundred exclusive of 
oflicers, of which there are many. I also gave 
orders to the people who were with me> to take 
C 



2& MiogropTiical Metmrn of 

an exact acconnt of the canoes which were haul- 
ed up to convey their forcts down in the spring. 
This they did, and old fifty of birch bark, an4 
one hundred and seventy of piae ; besides many 
©thers virhich were blocked out, in readiness, to 
make. 

i4th. As the snow encreased very fast, and 
our horses daily became weaker, I sent them off 
unloaded, under the care of Barnaby Currin, and 
two others, to make all convenient dispatch to 
Venango, and there to wait our arrival, if there 
was a prospect of the river's freezing ; if not, 
then to continue down to Shannapin's town, at 
the forks of the Ohio, and there to wait till we 
came to cross Aiigany ; intending myself to ^o 
down by water, as I had the offer of a canoe or 
two. 

As I found many plots concerted to retard the 
Indians* business, and prevent their returjiin^| 
with me ; I endeavoured all that lay in my powr 
er to frustrate their schemes and hurry them on 
to execute their intended design. They accord- 
ingly pressed for admittance this evening, which 
at length was granted them, privately, with the 
commander and one or two other officers. The< 
half-king told me, that he ofiered wampum to th© 
commander, who evaded taking it, and made 
many fair promises of love |nd friendship ; said he 
wanted to live in peace, and trade amicably with! 
them, as a proof of which he would send some 
jroods immediately down to the Loggs town, foi 
them* But I rath <>r think the defcigri of thj^t i; 



General George Wmh^inpojL 2? 

to bring away all our sttaggUng trader-s they meet 
"vvith, as I privately understood they intended to 
carry an ofhcer, &c. with them. And what ra- 
ther confirms this opinion, I was enquired oi 
the commander, by what authority he had made 
prisoners of several of our English subjects. "He 
told me that the country, belonging to them, no 
Englishman had a right to trade upon those wa- 
ters ; and that he had ord^s to make every orre 
prisoner who attempted it on the Ohio, or the wa« 
ters of it. 

1 enquired of cstptain Itip&rti abbut the hoy 
who was carried by this place, as it was done 
while the command devolved upon him between 
the death of the late general and the arrival of the 
present. He acknowledged that a boy had been 
carried past ; and that the Indians had two ot 
three white men*s scalps, (I was told by some of 
the Indians at Venango eighty but pretended to 
have forgotten the namfe of the place which th* 
boy came from, and all the particular facts, though 
he had questioned him for some hours, as they 
were carrying him past. I likewise enquired 
what they had done with john Trotter and James 
Mac Clocklin, two Pennsylvania traders, whom 
they had taken, with all their goods. They toH 
me they had heen sent to Canada, "but were now 
returned home. 

This evening I received an liiswer to his hondr 
the governor's letter, from the commandant. 

15th. The commandant ordered a plentiful 
store of liquor, provision, ^jc. to be pi^t on board 



28- BiograpJucal Memoirs «f 

our canoe; and appeared to be extremely C9m- 
plaisant, though he Wi».3 exerting every artifice 
which he coukl invent to set our own Indian? at 
variance with us, to prevent their going until af- 
ter our departure. Presents, rewards, and every 
thing which could be suggested by him or hfs of- 
ficers. I cannot say that ever in my life I suffer- 
ed so much anxiety as T did in this affair : I ^aw 
that every stratagem which the most fruitful brain 
could invent, was practised, to win the half king 
to their interest ; and that leaving him here was 
giving them the opportunity they aimed at. I 
went to the half king and pressed him in the strong- 
est terms to go : he told me the commandant 
Wpuld not discharge him till the morning. I 
then went to the commandant, and desired him 
to do iheir business ; and complained of ill treat- 
ment : For keeping them, as they were part of my 
company, was detaining me. This he promised 
not to do, but to forward my journey as much us 
he could. He protested he did not keep them, 
but was ignorant of the cause of their stay ; though 
1 soon found it out — He had promi'red the-n a pre- 
sent cf guns, &c. if they would wait till the morn- 
ing. As I was very much pressed by the Indians 
to wait this day for them, I consented, on a promise? 
that nothing should hinder them in the morning. 

leth. The French were not slack in their in- 
ventions to keep the Indians this day also ; But 
as they were obligated, according to promise, to 
give the present, they then endeavoured to try the 
power of li(iuor 5 whiuh 1 doubt not would j^are 



General George jVaiiwgtoyi', H 

prevailed at any othef time than this: but I urged 
and insisted V/ith the kinc^ so closely upon his 
word, that he refrained, and set crS' with us as he 
had engaged. 

We had a tedious and very fatiguing passage 
down the creek. Several times we had like to 
have been staved against the rocks ; and many 
times were obliged all hands to get out and re- 
main in the water half an hour or more, getting 
over the shoals. At one place the ice had lodged 
and made it im passable by water ; therefore we 
were obliged to carry our canoo across a neck of 
land, a quy r/cr of mile over. We did not reach Ve- 
nango till the 22d, where we met with our hor- 
ses. 

This creek is extremely crooked. I dare say 
tlw distance betv/een the fort and Venango can- 
not be less than 130 miles to follow the mean- 
ders. 

23d. When T got things ready to set off, I 
Font for the half-king, to know whether he inten- 
ded to go with us, or by water. He told rae that 
White Thunder had hurt himself much, and wa? 
sick and unable to walk ; therefore he was oViiged 
to carry him down in a canoe. As I found l^e in- 
tended to stay here a day or tv/o, and knew that 
Monsieur Joncaire would employ every scheme to 
set him against the English as he had before done. 
I told him I hoped he would be guarded against 
his flattery, and let no fine speeches influence hira 
ill their favour. He desired I might not be con- 
cerned, for he knew the French too well; for any 

g 3 '- ' 



B-0 Blo^rapJiical Memoirs- of 

thing to engage him in their behalf ; and though 
he could not go down with us, he yet woold en- 
deavour to meet at the forks with Joseph Camp- 
bell, to deliver a speech for me to carry to \\h hon- 
nor the Governor. He told me he would order 
the youn^ hunter to attend us, and get provision, 
&c. if wanted* 

Our horses were now so weak and feeble, and 
the baggage so heavy (as we were obliged to pro- 
vide ail th# necessaries which the jour.ney would 
require) that we doubted much their performincj 
it : Therefore myself and others (except the driv* 
ers who were obliged to ride) gave up our horses 
for packs, to assist along v/ith the baggage. I 
put myself in an Indian walking dress, and con- 
tinued with them three days, till I found there 
was no probability of their getting home in any 
reasonable time. The horses grew less able 4o trav- 
el every day ; the cold encreased very fast ; and 
the roads were becoming much worse by a deep 
snow, continually freezing ; Therefore, as I was 
uneasy to get back, to make report of my proc«ed- 
ings to his honour the governor, I determined to 
proseeute my journey the nearest way thiough the 
woodc on foot. 

Accordingly I left Mr. Vanbram in charge of our 
baggage ; with m.oney and directions' to provide 
necessaries from place to place for themselves and 
horses, and to make the most convenient dispatch 
in travelling. 

I took my necessary papers ; pulled off my . 
clothes i and tied in^seiX up in £( mat<^h coat,-^ 



General George IV ashington, 3 1 

Then with gun in hand, and pack a,t my back, in 
which were my papers, and provisions, I set out 
with Mr. Gist, fitted in the same manner, on Wed- 
nesday the 26th. The day following, just after 
we had passed a place called the Murdering Towii, 
(where we intended to quit the path, and steer a- 
cross the country for Shannapins Town) we fell 
in with a party of French Indians, who had laid 
in wait for us. One ot them fired at Mr. Giot or 
me, not 15 steps off. but fortunately missed. We 
took this fellow into custody, and kept him until 
about 9 o'clock at niglit : Tlu^n let him ge, and 
walked: all the remainder of the night without ma- 
king any stop ; that we might jget the start so i^Vt 
as to be out of the reach of their pursuit next day, 
since we wtre well assured they would follow our 
track as soon as it v.as light. The next day we 
continued tniveHiji.g till quite dark, and got to the 
river about 'I miles above Sliannapins. We Ex- 
pected to have found the river frozen, but it was 
not, only about 50 yards from each shore: The ic« 
I supnose had broken above, for it was driving in 
vast quantities. 

Tliere was no way for getting over l^ut on % 
raft : which we set about, but with one poor hatch- 
et, and finished just after sun setting. This w'as 
a whole day's work ; "Vv^e next got it launched, 
and went on board of it ; Then set otY. But be- 
fore Me were half way over, we were janmed in 
the ice, in sucli a manner that v/e expected every 
moment our r^ft to sink, and ourselves to perisl^ 
I put out my setting pole to stop ttie raft, that tht 



B2 Birgr^i['iisaJ Tdemc'irs tj 

C5 might pa?^ by ' when the rapidity of the 
stream threw it with so much violence against the 
pole, that ][ jirked me out into ten feet water: 
But T fortunately saved myself by catching hold 
of one of the raft logs. Notwithstanding all our 
efforts, we could not get to either shore; but were 
obi-e^ ' « ^T - were near an island, to quit our raf^ | 
and make to it. 

^"^ i* coH wa<? so extremely severe, that Mrw 
Gist had ail his fingers, and some of his toes froi 
z<n ; and the water ?hut np so hard, that we founds 
TiQ difficulty in getting off the islaiid, on the icei 
in the mo'^ni^j^r and went to Mr. Frazier's. W 
me jiere with to^ent}' warriors who were going 
the ^'ouibvard to war : Bat coming to a place up-; 
on the head of the great Kunnaway, where they 
found seven people killed and scalped (ail but one 
woman with very light harir) they turned aboul 
and ran back for fear the inhabitants shoald ris< 
and take them as tho authors of the murder. They 
report that the bodies were lyir.g about the housef 
and some of tliem much torn and eaton by the 
hogs ; By the marks which were left, they say 
they were French Indians of the Ottoway nation 
<ic. who did it. 

As we intended to take horses here, sfid it re- 
quired some time to find them, i went up sbou^ 
thre« mile? to the spouth of the Yaughyaughgant 
to vi-^it Queen Aliiqnippa, who had expressed great 
concern that we pastel her in going to the fort. 
X Tonade iiej: a present of a match coat and a bottle 



General Gccrge Washhigfon. 33 

)f rum, which latter was thought much the best 
oreseut «f the two. 

Tuesday the 1st day of January, we left Mr- 
7ra.2}er's house, and arrived at I'v'r. Gift's at Mo- 
iiongahela the 2d, wfecre I bcau^iit a horse, saddle, 
kc. Ihe 6th we met 17 horsey loavlcd witli ma- 
erials and stores for a fort at the forks of Ohio, 
,nd the day after some families going our to settle : 
This day we arrived at Wills-Creek, after a fati- 
;uinj^ a journey as it it; pos? ibly to cooceive, ren- 
ered so by excessive bad weather. From the 
Irst day of December to the i5th, there was but 
ne Ad.y in which it did not rain or snow incess- 
n'^ly ; and throughout the whole journey wt met^ 
/itli nothing but one continued series o» cold 
,'Pt weather, which oceaiiiuned very uncoa;] oi ta- 
le lodgings ; especial ly after v/e ha'' quitted our 
ent, which was some screen fiom the inclemency 
of it. 

On the 1 Ith T irotto Bel voir; where I stopped 
one day to take necessary rest; and then set out, 
••nd arrived in VVilliani^burgh the 16th ; when I 
waited on his honour the governor with the letter 
il had brought from the French commandant ; and 
l^ give an account of the success of my proceeding^'. 
Chis 1 beg leave to do by offering the foregoing; 
larrative, as it contains the most remarkable oe^ 
"urrences which happened in my journey. 

1 hope what has been said will be suilic-ent to 
.tiake your honour satislicd with my conduct ; for 
;hat was my aim in undertc«king the journey, an<i 
»hief study tluroughout the prosecution of it. 



3^ Bhgrafl'icnt Manotrs of 

With the hope of doing. it, I, ulth infmlia 
pleasure, subscribe myself, 

Your honor's most obedient, 

and very humble servant, 

G. WASHINGTON. 



On his return from this perilous embassy, with 
Mons. de St. Pierre's answer, and his good succes;^ 
in the Indian negociations, major Washington was 
complimented with the thanks and approbation 
of his countfy. His journal does great credit to 
his industry, attention, and judgment ; and it has 
since proved of infinite service to thos€ who have 
been doomed to traverse the same inhospitable 
tracts. 

Governor Dinwiddie's letter to the French com- 
mandant, and M. de St. Pierre's answer have been 
published in several periodical works, both in A- 
merica and in liritain, T ha' governor's letter sta- 
ted- that he had heard with surprise and concern^ 
tha> the French were erecting fortresses and mak- 
ing settlements on the lands upon the river Ohio, 
which are the property of the crown of Great- 
Britain ; in consequence of which, hs is induced 
in the name of the king, to send the bearej-, Gi 
Washington, Esq. ; one of the adjiitants-genera! 
cf the forces of Virginia, to complain of the en- 
croachments made in violation of the treaties sub- 
sisting betv/eeii the two crowns, requcstfng by 
whose autliority he had marched from Canada 
with an armed iforce to invj^de the British territo- 
ries, and that the French forces depart ixjaceabh', 



OencTiil George V/ashlngtOiu $S 

withjout prosecuting a purpose so interruptive tb 
the harmony which his majesty is so desirous to 
coiitiune and cultivate with the most Christian 
King. Also, that mujor Washington fnight be 
entertained with the poUteness due to his rank* 
The French commandants answer only stated, 
tTiat he would transmit the governor's letter t<? 
Canada, to his general the marquis du (iuesne, bv' 
whose answer he would b^ guided ; that he wag 
upon French ground, by the orders of his general^ 
consequently that he could not obey tlie summous 
of the governor; and that he had made it his pari 
ticular care to receive Mr. Washington with the 
distinction suitable to his dignity. 

In 1754, the designs of tlie Frenph becoming 
more manifest, and their movements more daring, 
orders were issued by adminstration for the colo- 
nies to arm and unite in one confederacy. The 
jissembly of Virginia took the lea4, by voting a* 
sum of money for the public service, and raising a 
regiment for the protection of the frontiers of the 
colony. Of this corps, Mr- Fry, one of the pro- 
fessors of the college, was appointed colonel, and 
major Washington received the commission cf 
lieutenant-colonel. But colonel Fry died without 
ever having joined ; and of course left his regiment 
to the second in command. He begun his march 
on the second of April, from Alexandria, having 
under his command one hundred and fifty men. 
His orders were to march towards the Ohio, r ere 
to assist captain Trent to built forts, and defen'l 
the pos;>e^ior.s Qf his majesty againtt the atte?«pt| 



3§ Bhgraplikal Memoirs of 

and liostilities of the French. During bis march 
he was joined bv a small detachment under com- 
mand of captain S ephens, and when he had pro- 
ceeded as far as Wills-Creek, he received intelli- 
gence that captain Trent had been obliged to sur- 
render the fort which line had erected between the 
Ohio and Froich-Greek, to a body of about eight 
hundred Fre».ch, commanded by captain Contrc- 
coeur ; whereupon, colonel Washington, deeming 
it impracticable to march towards the fort with- 
out sufficient force, thought it most prudent to 
pro ;eed to open roads so as to pre-occupy the ad- 
vantageous po- 1 at the confluence of the Alleghany 
and Monongahela rivers, which in his preceding 
journa: he recoiinnends for that purpose. Re was 
to have beei; joined by a detachment of indepen- 
dent regulars from the southern colonies, together 
with some cjmpanies of provincials from ^<orth 
Carolina and l.larvland. But perceiving the ne- 
ces ;ty of expedition, and without waiting for 
their arrival, he Limme ced his march ; but, not- 
v/ihstiinding ins precipHated advance, the French 
l\xi already taken possession and erected a fortifi- 
rv.:*ation, which they named fort Du ,0mm, in *^on, 
our of the marquio du ^uesne, the French gover- 
nor of Canada. , 
Colonel Washington accordingly proceeded on { 
his march from Wiiis-Creek ; bravely encountering 
all the obstacles and difTicuitie" of an impervious. 
"WiiJernesb, crossisig jriires. savannas and rivers.. 
tlis men were someumes iwrced to ford livers so 
4eep a^ to take them up to the arm-pits 3 when he 



QpKTCii George WasJiwgUiiU BT 

had procneded as far as Tarkeyfoot, he received ih- 
for imiion that a party .or French, commanded- b/ 
^ de JumonviUe, were concealed withiii a shwt 
distance pf his camp : whereupon, he scoured his 
waggons and put himself in the best mt-an? of de- 
fence he was capable of, niitil he h: d leair.ed xXie 
atr^^'jgth of the enemy, and "'•h .'lace where they 
-were. 

Having; tc^cv^vfc;! irom the Indi&ns th* necessary 
information, on the night of the 27th Ma_v. he 
set out With his men (except about forty, which 
Vas left to guard his ammunition, oic.) and a party 
of Indians, which the half king sent to his assis- 
tance, Uivdef a heavy rain, and a night dark as 
pitch, they travelled along a path scarcely broad 
«novigh for o'^e man ; they were sometimes lifieen 
or twenty minutes cut of th<3 path before they 
90uld come to it again, and s^ dark, that they 
Vv'ould often .trike on-e against another ; all night 
thfiv cant'iiuei theif route, and in the morning a- 
boat sunrrise, formed themselves for an engagement, 
march'ng one after anotlier in the Indian manner, 
the enemy did not discover them until they were 
clo:;e upon them, when colonel Washington's com- 
' pany fired, and was supported by Mr. Wager's ; 
theiie two companies received the whole fire of the 
French, which lasted a quarter of an hour before 
the enemy was routed out. M. de Jumonviile and 
nine others were killed, one wounded and twenty-* 
one made prisoners. Among the prisoners was the 
■celebrated woodsman, Mens-, de la Force, comrra^ 



S$ . Biographical Afemolrs of 

sary of the French stores, and twe other ofiiceEJ. 
Only one of the whole party escaped. A Cana- 
dian, named Monceau, made such a report of the 
action as to impress upon the minds of the French, 
a bel'Cf'. that C®lonel Washington's conduct was 
high'/ treacherous ftud dishonourable. The French 
account of this engagement is contained in a letter 
from M. de Contrecoeur to the marquis du Quesne, 
dated Fort du Quesne, May 23, 1 754. It states 
that ^1. (te Jumonville set out with a small escort, 
charged with a written sommons, in form of a let- 
ter, directed to the first English officer he should 
meet on the lands claimed by the French king, 
summoning him to withdraw his troops in peace 
from said territory, otherwise that they wouW re- 
pel force to force, desiring the English officer to re-, 
ttirn his answer by M. de Jumonville, and to treat 
that officer with that distinction an(J respect which 
he deserved, that the deputy S€t out, and next 
morning foand himself surrounded by a number of 
English and Indians, that the English quickly fir- 
ed two vollies. which killed some soWiers, that M. 
Jnmonvill« made a sign tlmt he had a letter from 
his (Commander, whereupon the fire ceased, and the 
English surrounded the French officer, in order to 
hear ic,that he was reading the summons a second 
time, he w^as killed by a musket shot in th« head, 
that had it not b«en for the Indians, who rushed 
in between the French and English, the former 
wojld have been all assassinute^, and that the In- 
dians did not fire upon the French. This report 



{general Ge rge Wailmigton. S^ 

was made the most of by the French, who im- 
pressed it upon the minds of the surrounding In- 
diana', as a most shocking and base murder perp&* 
trated by the express command of Colonel Wash* 
ington. But the following extract from Colonel 
■Washington's Journal of his proceedings given in 
to Governor Dinwiddie, places the transactions ira 
a qu'te different point of view, he states, viz. " W« 
were advanced prettv near to them as we thought, 
when they discovered us ; whereupoh I ordered 
my company to fire, mine was supported by Mr* 
Wager's, and my company and his, received the 
whole fire of the French, during the greatest parfc 
of the action, which only lasted a quarter of at| 
hour, before the enemy was routed. 

" We killed M. de Jumonville, the commandeir 
of that party, as also nine others ; we wounded 
one, and made twenty-one prisoners, among wiiom 
were M. de la Force, M. Drouillon, and two Ca- 
dets. The Indians scalped the dead, and took a- 
way most part of their fire arms, after which wa 
marched on with the prisoners and guard, to ths 
Indian camp, where again I held a council witlt 
the half-king ; and there informed him that, tlia 
governor was desirous to ^ec him, and was wait- 
ing for him at Winchester ; he answered, that, h« 
could not go just then, as his people were in too 
eminent danger from the French, whom they had 
fallen upon ; that he must send messengers to al! 
the allied nations, in order to invite them to tak« 
5p the hatchet. He sent a young Delaware In* 



4ip 'IjhgYapftual Memoirs of 

dian to the Delaware Nation, and gavelnm also $ 
French scalp to carry to them. This yoi =^ n.:;n 
desired to have a part of the presents which '^ere 
allotted for them, but that the remainirg p.vrt 
3ino;h' be kept for another opportunity : He i«aid 
he would goto his own faraiiy, and to several oth- 
ers, a!id would wait on them a^t Mr, Gist's, where 
be debired men and horses shoiild be sent ready ta* 
brir:g them up to our camp-. After ibis 1 marched 
©n u .t h the prisoners : Thty informed me that 
thf- • !•' becB sent with a euiiiCions to order me 
%c .'.jjrt. ^. plansibV pretence to discover our 
car. and to obtain the know lege of our forces; and 
siu.aiioo ! It .was so clear that they were come to- 
Jeconnoitre what we were, t'lat i admired their as- 
5ur nee when they told me th?y were come as an 
%Av y.'is\ ; for their instFuetions mentioned that 
they vhould get what knowledge they could of the 
fpi'^-' rivcre, and of all the country as far as ;-'oto- 
iCiiCA ; .LF.d instead of coming a^- an- ambassador, 
publicly, and iii an open manner, they came se- 
•ere'cl. , j.vA sought aher the most hidden re reats,- 
mort. .'.; Ho3t\'-T.ers than amb3.s;;idors ; in such re- 
trt;,i J- .;",' encamped, and remained hid whole 
days ucgetlipr, and that no more than five niiies 
from i:; ; /lom l hence they sent s;pies to refionnoitre 
our ii.-:; ; all cr this was done, th^y wer-t back 
two i);,'*,^, irom 'v hence they s€nt the tvo '^^es- 
sengor.-. .i^ktu o," m t'le vish- action, to acquaint 
M. de ■.'^.r.'recce.ur ,> he '-'ace ~^e were at a.'Ki of 
our dis^obitioji^ that he might scua Iijs detachments 



General George WeishmgtQiU 4E 

to inforce the summons, as soon as it should be 
giren. 

" Besides, an ambassador has princely atten» 
iants ; whereas this was only a sinrspie petty 
French oificer ; an ambassador has no reed of spies, 
lis character being always sacred : And seeing 
'heir intentions was so good, why did they tarry 
"wo days, at five miles distance from us, wittiout 
acquainting me w'th the summons, or, at least, 
with something that related to the embassy I 
That alone would be sufficient to raise the great- 
eit suspicions, we ought to do them the justice to 
say, that, as they wanted to hide themselves, they 
could not pick out better places than *hey had 
done. 

" The summons wus so insolent, and favoured 
the gasconade so much, that if it had been brought 
openly by two men, it would have been an im- 
mediate mdulgence, to have suffered ihem to re- 
turn. 

" It was the opinion of the half-king in thi5 
case, that their intentions were evil, and that it 
was a pure pretence ; that thev never intended to 
come to us but as enemies ; and if we had been 
such fools as to let them go, they would iievep 
help us any more to take other Frenchmen. 

** They say they called to us as soon as they 
had discovered us, which is an absolute falsehood, 
for, I was then marching at the head of the com* 
pany going towards them, and can positively af- 
firm, that when they lirst saw ns, they ran to 
D 2 



4?^ Bhgraph'iccl Memi^rs of 

their arms, without caujijg : ?. : ! ;riUst haveheacd 
Iheni, had they so done." 

Frjm ■'he ranch pri>ijut'?s, ooionel Washington 
had iutelligence, thai tbe French forces on the- 
OhiO con3i:::t'\i of u[)ward^' ^f '.'fie thousand regulars, 
and '■orce hundveis of India.'f?. Upon this intelli- 
ge.jes, and co;?;;ier'ng hi-j iittje irmy which was 
aoaicwhat reduced, and entireiv insufficient to act 
offemi ve*a gainst t!\e I^rejricrj and Jndians, he fell 
back to a .nace know^n b^' tiie c»ppeliatiori of the 
6r- t Ms dim)-, tor the fcak^ offordge and supplies. 
Here he built a tempcjrary stookade, merely to cov- 
«r his stores ; it was from it.- fate called Fort Neces^ 
sity^ Colonel Washington vas too sensible of the 
advantages of Fort du (^uesiie, to abandon the idea 
of Taking it. Ever since ;ie left Wills-Creek, he 
had been indefati^jiable in hi> exertions to- form the 
res^lment, open roads, and gain the Indians over to^ 
the side oi'-the English, as also to watch the ope- 
rations of the French, and gain a knowledge of the 
ibrt-;, situation, and K.rce^ even as far as the lakes. 
He bs'l wrote to the g^v^niors of Pennsylvania and- 
Karyiar.d req^uesting their aid in the augmentit.tion 
of his array. He remainexl al Fort Ntxiessity for 
tbe arrival of some expected succoit from New- 
York and Pennsylvania, unmolested, until July fol- 
lowing, wiun his small force, even after it was 
jpiued by cav^tain M'Kay's regulars did noc amount 
to four hundred effectives, vnhs at'aclied by an ar- 
my of Frencn and Indians., CO*.: ;pi. ed .'o ha^ve reen 
r>fxt8ea hundred strong, under th<^ command oi thet-- 



General George IVasJihi^on, 4S 

fieiir de Villiers, the brother of M. de Jumonville, 
The chief intention of this campaign, the Frencb 
officer acknowledged, was to revenge the absassin* 
ation of his brother, and to hinder any establish- 
xnents on the lands claimed by the king of France, 
The Virginians sustained the attack of the ene- 
my's whole force for several hours, and laid neax 
two hundred of them dead in the field, when the 
French commander, discouraged by such determin- 
ed resolution, proposed the less dangerous method 
of dislodging his enemy by a parly, which ended 
in a capitulation. It was stipulated, that colonel 
Washington should march av»'ay with all the hon« 
ours of war, and be allowed to carry off all his mil- 
itary stores, effects and baggage. This capitula- 
tion was violated from the ungovernable diposi- 
tion of the Indians, whom the French commander 
could not restrain from plundering the provincials 
on the outset of their march, and from making a 
considerable slaughter of men, cattle and horses. 
After this disaster the remains of the Virginia reg- 
iment returned to Alexandria to be recruited and 
furnished with necessary supplies : during this pe- 
riod, the French redoubted their activity and dili- 
gence on the Ohio, and in other places, and Vir- 
ginia who determined to send out a larger force, in 
the spring following, erected the forts Cumberland 
and London, and formed a camp at Wills-creek, in 
order to annoy the eneiiiy on the Ohio. In the^ 
several services (particularly in the construction of 
forts) colonel Washington was principally employe 
cd. 



44 BiograpMcal Memoirs of 

In 1 75^, the British government sent to this 
country, general Braddock, who was appointed to 
the command of ail the troops and forces which 
were, or that should be raised in, or sent to North 
America ; he landed at William; burg, Virginia, 
in February, with two veteran regiments rVom Ire- 
land, but sent his men up the Potomac to Alexan- 
dria, there to encamp until he was joined with tlifi 
independent and provincial corps of i\merica ; with 
this array he was to penetrate through the coun- 
try to fort Du ^uesne (now fort Pitt) by the route 
of Wills-creek to repel the French from the con- 
fines of the British settlements, and as no person 
was better acquainted with the frontier country 
than O/lonel Washington, and no one in the 
colony enjoyed so well eitablished a military char- 
acter, he was judged to be highly serviceable to 
general Braddock, but from a royal arrangement of 
rank, by which " no officer who did not imme- 
diately derive his commission from the king, could 
command one who did." Colonel Washington 
cheerfully relinquished his regiment and went as 
an extra aid-de-camp into the family of general 
Braddock. In this capacity, at the battle of Mo- 
nongaheia, on the 9th of July, 1755, he attended 
that general, whose life was gallantly sacrificed in 
attempting to extricate his troops from the fatal 
ambuscade into v/liich his overweaning confidence 
had condueted them. Braddock had several hor- , 
ses shot under him, before he fell himself; and 
there was not an pfficer, whose duty obliged him 



Central George IVasliwgton* 45 

t-o be OH horseback that day, excepting colonel 
Washington, who was not either killed or woun- 
ded. This circnmstance enabled him to display 
greater abilities in covering the retreat and saving 
the wreck of the army, than he could other wisis 
have done. As soon as he had secured their 
pa.-iiige over the ford of Monongahela, and J"ound 
hey were not pi^rsued, h© hasted to concert measu 
ares for their further se urity with colonel Dun- 
bar, wiio had remainedwith the second division and 
Heavy baggage at some distance in the rear. To 
BiTeot this he travelled with two guides, all night, 
through an almost impervious wilderness, notwith- 
tcinding the fatigues he had undergone in the day, 
i*,d although he had so imperfectly recovered from 
ickness, that he wa;s obliged in tlie morning to be" 
upported with cushions on his horse. The pub- 
ic accounts in Britain and America were not par- 
imonious of applause for the essential service he 
md rendered on so trying an occasion. 

Not long after this time, the regulation of rank, 
^'hich had been so injurious to the colonial officers, 
vas changed to their satisfaction, in consequence 
\i the discontent of the officers, and the remon- 
trance of colonel Washington. The buprem^ 
/owcr of Virginia, impressed with a due sense of 
lis merits, gave him, in a new and extensive com- 
niosion, the cammand of all the troops raised and 
o be raised in that colony. 

It would not comport with the intended brevi- 
y of this sketch; to mention in detail the plans h« 



45 Blograp/ucal Mcviojrs of 

suggested or the system he pursued for defending* 
the frontiers, until the year 1758, when he com- 
manded the van brigade of general Forbe's army 
in the capture of Fort du (iuesne. A similar rea- 
son will preclude the recital of the personal hazards 
and atchievements which happened in the course ' 
of his service. The tranquility on the frontiers of 
the midvlle colonies having been restored by the 
success of this campaign, and the health of colo- 
nel Washington having become extremely debili- 
tated by an inveterate pulmonary complaint, int 
1759 he resigned his military appointment. An- 
thentic documents are not wanting to shew the; 
tender regret which the Virginia line expressed at 
parting with their commander, and the affectiojip.. 
ata regard which he entertained for them. 

Shortly after colonel Washington's resignation, 
his health was gradually re-established and hee 
married Mrs. Custis,* an amiable young widow, 
said to have possessed a fortune of twenty thou- j' 
sand pounds sterling (about 88,900 dollars) in her 
awn right, besides her dower in one of the princi- 
pal estates in Virginia. With this lady colonel 
Washington settled as a planter and farmer ©n hi|' 
estate in Fairfax county, Virginia. 

After some years he gave up planting tobacco, 
SLnd went altogether into the farming business. 
He ha^ raised seven thousand bushels of wheat, 
and ten thousand of Indian corn in one year. AU 

* General and Mrs. Washington were both born in 
tljjS same ;r ear. 



General George WasTunglc^. 47 

though he has confined his own cultix'atioli to this 
domestic tract of about nine thousand acres, yet 
he possessed excellent lands, in large quantities, in 
several other counties. His judgment in the qual- 
ity of soils, his command of money to avail him- 
self of purchases, and his occasional employment 
in early life as a surveyor, gave him opportunities 
Df making advantageous locations 5 many of which 
ire much improved. 

After he left the army, until the year 1774, he 
thus cultivated the arts of peace. He was con- 
stantly a member of assembly, a magistrate of his 
lounty and a judge of the court, At this period 
he was appointed by the assembly of Virginia, in 
onfbrmity with the universal wish of the people, 
ro be one of their four delegates at the first general 
Z)ongress of delegates frowi all the provinces, which 
net at Philadelphia on the 26th of October, 1774, 
ind consisted of fifty-one members. It was with 
10 small reluctance that he engaged again in the 
iCtive scenes of life ; and we sincerely believe that 
no motives but such as spring from the most disin- 
erested patriotism, could have prevailed upon him 
relinquish the most refined domestic pleasure, 
vhich it was ever in his power to command, and 
h« great delight he took in farming and the im- 
>rovement of his estate. 

He was also appointed delegate to the Congress 
vhich assembled in 1775, in which it was at 
sngth determined, after every step towards an ac- 
ojnanftddation had failed, and every petition from 



$S Bjcgrapytcal lylemohs of 

America had been rejected, to repel by force the inj 
vasion from Great- Britain, the eyes of the wholi 
continent were i mmediaiely turned upon Mt 
V/ashington. With one common voice he w 
called forth to the defence of his country ; and i 
is, perhaps, his peculiar glory, that there was no( 
a single inhabitant of these stateb, except him^elji 
who did not approve the choice, and place i\t\ 
firmest confidence in his integrity and ablities. 

He arrived at Cambridgie in New-England, ^i 
July, 1775, and there took the supreme commani 
of the army of the United Colonies. Previous tt 
this period, hostilities had actually commenc^c 
On the 1 9th of April, 1775, blood was first she^ 
at the battle of Concord ; and on the 16th of Jun 
following, the mem.orable battle of Breed's-hil 
cpmmonly called Bunker's hill was fought. 

Gerifiral Washington was received at the cam- 
with that heart felt exul-atmn, which superi( 
merit alone can inspire, after having, in his prr 
gress through the several states, received ever 
mark of affection and esteem, which they concel 
ed were due to the man, whom the whole coni 
jient looked up to for safety and freedom. 

The following address was presented to him c 
!iis accepting the supreme command of thearmi 
by the provincial Congress of New-York, tiz. 



General George Washhigton* ^ 

ADDRESS, 

Presented to his excellency General Washing^^ 
ton. by the provincial Congress of Nct^ 
TorL 

May it please your Excellency, 

At a time when the most loyal of his majesty*! 
Subjects, from a regard to the laws and constitu*' 
tion, by which he sits on the throne, fee? them- 
selves reduced to the unhappy necessity of taking 
up arms, to defend their dearest rights and p'-ivi- 
Jeges — while v/e deplore the calamities of this di- 
vided empire, we rejoice in the appointment of at 
gentleman, from whose abilities and virtue we are 
taught to expect both security and peace. 

Cojifiding in you, sir, and in the worthy gen- 
erals immediately under your command, we have 
the most flattering hopes of success in the glorious 
truggle for American liberty, and the fullest as- 
surances, that, whenever this important contest 
shall be decided, by that fondest wish of each A- 
Jnerican soul, an accommodation with our mother 
„|ountry, you will cheerfully resign the important 
leposit committed into your hands, and rea^sume 
he character of our worthiest citizen. 



By order, 

P. V, B. Livingston, 

Mw-^York, Jicne 26, 1 7T5. 
B 



50 EhgrapKcal Memoirs df 

General Wafliington's Anfwer. . 

Gentlemen, 

At tlie same time that with you 1 deplore the 
unhappy necessity of such an appointment, as tbatt 
with which I am honoured, cannot but feel sentu 
nients of the highest gratiude, for this affecting \w 
Stance of distinction and regard. 

May your warmest wishes be reahzed m the siicc 
cess of America, at this important and interestm^ 
Deriod • and be assured that ev^ry exertion of my 
worthy colkagues and myself, will be eqimllv ex< 
tended to the re- establishment of peace and har 
mony, between the mother country and these col 
onies • as to the fatal but neciessary operations o 
war when we assumed the soldier, we did not ia; 
aside the citizen ; and we shall most sincere^' ro 
ioice with you in that happy hour, when the es: 
tablishment of American lil.erty, on the most firn 
and solid foundations, shall enable ns to re.urn.t 
our private stations, in the bosom of a free, peac* 

ful and happy country. 

^ G. Washing roK> 



His conduct as a general and commander 
chief is well known. He underwent many hai 
ships dangers and difficulties and conducted ! 
militarv operation with much skill and ability. 

It would not comport with the intended brc 
ty of the present memoirs, for us to particularize 
bis tran^ction-s in the course qf the rerglutieni 



J 



«rar, the impression which they made, is yet fresh 
in the mind of every citizen. 

But it is hoped, posterity will be taught, in 
what manner he transformed an imdisciplined 
body of peasantry into a regular army of soldiers. 
Commentaries on his campaigns vould undoubted. 
\y be highly interesting and instructive to future 
generations. The conduct of his first campaign, 
in March, 1776, in compelling the British troops 
to abandon Boston, by a bloodless victory, will 
merit a minute narration. But a volume would 
scarcely contain the mortifications he e:))cperienced, 
and the hazards to which he was exposed in the 
years 1776 and 1777, in contending against the 
prowCiS of Britain, with an inadequate force. Her 
armies were far superior to his in number, well or- 
ganized and disciplined, inured to a camp life, com^ 
manded by officers well experienced in military 
tacticks, and aided by powerful fleets, while his 
v;as composed of raw and undisciplined peasants, 
'* just dragged from the tender scenes of domestic 
life — unaccustomed to the din of arms — totally un- 
acquainted with every kind of military skill," — 
unused to the subordmation so essentially requisite 
in an army, and often in want of arms, ammuni- 
tion, clothes, and even food, often exposed to the 
inclemency of the weather, in the most rigorous 
season, wit bout tents or even a blanket, and dis- 
couraged by the v ant of regular pay. These cir- 
cumstances fully account for th€ imsuccessful issue 
of his fiTit campaign?. 



'52f B':ograp?acaI Menimrs of 

The battle of Lorg-Island was fought in Aiv 
j^st 1776; his army was driven from their post 
by the British ; a;bove two thousaiid Americans 
fell on the field, and about half that iiuniber were 
taken prisoners. Fort Washington, on York- Isl- 
and, surrendered raon after, with two thou!^an(i 
prisoners: desertion and sickness added to hi*; mis- 
fortunes. His army, at the time Lord Kowe land- 
ed on Long-Island, amounted to twenty-tive thou- 
sand mai, was now reduced ti> about one eighth 
part of that number. ' 

The approach of winter happily checked the 
progress of the ejiemy. GenerAl Washington's 
persevwarjce and intrepidity; improved thit cir- 
cumstance into important advantages. At Tren- 
on, on the morning of the twenty-sixth of Decem- 
ber, he surprised a body of the enemy's troops^ 
who, finding themselves surrounded, witheut fur^ 
ther resistance, agreed to lay down their arras^— 
Twenty-iive officers, and nearly one thousand sol- 
diers were made prisoners ; wliiie the Amerlcai* 
army had only four or live men wounded. 

On the third of Januaiy following, at Princeton, 
he made another successfui- attempt, there he took 
three himdred prisoners. These enterprises cheer- 
ed the drooping spirits of his men, and again ad- 
ded reputation to the American arms, fie after- 
wards reiired to Morristown, and remained during 
the winter, with an inferior force, but with supe- 
rior skill, checking the enem.y from any further en- 
croacfunents in that prt of the country. We' 



General George Washington, -5S 

sliall not enter into a minute description of the va* 
rious battles and skirmishes, in which he was 
personally engaged during the campaign of 1777. 
At the battle of Brandywine, he made a gallant 
resistance, but was at last forced to quit his ground 
with the loss of about twelve hundred men killed, 
wounded, or taken prisoners. At Germantown 
he was repulsed with the loss of six hundred killed 
or wounded, and about four hundred prisoners. Ho 
aftervviirds retired to wintejr quarters at Valley 
Forge. His army was at this time in a most mis- 
erable condition, marching without stockings or 
shoes, over the frozen ground, their feet were so 
giished, thiit their steps were marked with blood : 
Some h'.mdreds of them were without blankets ; 
and ill this condition they were u\ the middle of 
v/inter, to sit down in a forest, and build huts for 
shelter. The destitute situation of the American 
army at all times, was certainly a means of pro- 
crastinating the war ; oftentimes it was upon the eve 
of dissolution, even mutinies had been the conse- 
quence, whilst want of success, prevented many of 
the soldiers from continuing longer than the period 
of their short enlistments, and caused frequent de- 
sertion. Indeed nothing bat the good destiny ani 
consummate prudence of the commander in chief, 
prevented want of success from producing want of 
confidence on the part of the public ; for want of 
success is apt to lead to the adoption of pernicious 
counsels, through the levity of the people or the 
ambition of their demegogiies. In the three sue* 
E 2 



54 3\(jgfafnua1 Memoirs ^ 

deeding years, the germ of discipline unfolded ; arid 
the resources of America having been called into 
co-operation with the land and naval armies of 
France, produced the glorious conclusion of the 
campaign in 178!- On the nineteenth of October 
that year, the army under command of general 
Washington, forced that of the enemy, then under 
'Command of Lord Cornwallis, to make a final sur- 
render ; his land forces were made prisoners of w^ar 
to Congres.s ; and the naval forces v/ere liven up 
to France. From this time, the gloom began to 
disappear from onr political horizon, and the affairs 
of the union prececded in a meliorating train, un- 
til a peace was most ably negociated by our ambas- 
sadors in Europe, in 1783, by which Hiirteen of 
th« American colonies were established as sove. 
reign and independent states. 

General Washington having never been in Eu- 
rope, he couid not possribly have seen much mili- 
tary service when the armies of Britain were sent 
to subdue America : yet still, for a variety of rea- 
sons, he was by much the most proper man on this 
continent, and probably any where else, to be pla- 
ced at the head of an A merican army. The ^^ery 
high estimation he stood in for integrity aiil hon- 
our, his engaging in the cause of his ccimtrj-' from 
sentiment and a conviction of her wrongs, iiis mod- 
eration in politics, his extensive property, and. his 
approved abilities as a commander, were m-otives 
which necessarily obliged the choice of America to 
fall upon him* . 



Cenerai George iP^mfungtx^u -^^ 

f 

Tliat nature V'td given him extraerdinary niili- 
tary talents, wili hardly be controverted by his 
Diost bitter enemies ; and having been ear!/ actu- 
ated with a warm passion to serve his country in 
the military line, he has greatly improved them 
5y unwearied industry, and a close application to 
;he best writers upon tactics, and by a more than 
;ommon method and exactness ; and, in reality, 
when it comes to be considerrd, that at first he 
only headed a body of men entirely unacquainted 
with military discipline or operations, somewhat 
ungovernable in temper, and who at best could on- 
ly be stiled an alert and good militia, acting unde? 
very short enlistm.ents unclothed, unacccutred, and 
at all times very ill supplied with aramuiiition and 
irtillery ; and that with such an army he with- 
stood the ravages and progress of nearly forty thou- 
sand veteran troops, plentifully provided with eve- 
ry necessary article, cominanded by the bravest of- 
ficers in Europe ; and supported by a very pow- 
erful Davy, which effectually prevented all move- 
ments by water ; when, we say, all this comes to 
be impartially considered, we think we may ven- 
ture to pronounce, that General Washington wi^I 
be regarded by maniund as one of the greatest mil- 
itary ornaments of the present age, and his name 
will command the veneration cf the latest posteri^ 

No person but those who had an opporturi'y 
Df viewing the continental army, can form any acl- 
Bv'5uute i'ie% of its imperf-sct .^t?.te when General 



5*5 Biographical Memoirs tf 

Washington first assumed the command, nor was 
it without the most unwearied application and per- 
severance, which few men but him, could havo 
undergone, that he was able to establish that dis- 
cipline which ultimately aided his success. From 
the period he first assuined the command, until 
the wnai dissolution o\ the srmy, his care and anx- 
iety tor them continued. 'The array he consider- 
ed his family ; and af«er the embarrassments o* the, 
day, after the toils and fatigues of a battle, we hndlj 
him stealing a pcrtion of time allotted for rest, AeAr 
vising mean^ the most salutiwy, for their ameliora- 
tion, at all times characterized with that economy 
and frugality which the national resources requir. 
ed. 

The following extracts from his oiTicial letters 
to Congress on this subject, are worthy of perusal^ 
they do ample justice to h's feelings, and must 
make a lasting impression in the hearts of his fel- 
low soldiers, viz. 

Extract of a Letter from General Washington, to the 
komrable Congress, dated Cambridge, September 2 1 , 
1775. 

" IT gives me great pain to be obliged to solioit 
the attention of tne hourable Congre^^s to the state 
of this army, in term« which imply the slightest 
apprehension ot being neglected. But my situa- . 
tion is inexpreis'ioly distressing, to see the winter 
fast approachirg upon a naked army ; the time of 
their service withiu a few \v8«ks of expiring -, and no*^ 



Ceyicral George WasUn^oh, ^' 

JTOvision yet made for such important event s> 

\dd«?d to these the military chest is totally ex- 

lansted the pay master has not a single dollar in 

jiarid': the commissary-general assure* me he has 

iV^ained his credit, for the subsistence of the army, 

jo the utmost. The quarter- master- general is pre- 

sely in tlie same situation ; and the greatest part 

f the tfoops ar(f in a state not far from mutiny, 

tpon the deduction from their stated allowance. 

know not to whom. I am to impute this failure : 

ut I am of opinion, if the evil is not immediately 

emedied, and iu>re punctuality observed in future, 

he army must abbolutely break up. I hoped I 

ad so fully expressed myself oh this subject, (both 

y letter, and to ttiose members of the Congress 

irho honored the cam^) with a visit) that no dis- 

ppointment could possibly happen. I therefore 

ourly expected advice from the pay-master that 

e had received a fresh supply, m addition to the 

undred and tevent)' two thousand dollars deliver- 

i hifn in il\ugust; and thought myself warranted 

absure the public creditors that in a few days 

ley should be satisfied. But the delay has broi^^l^t 

latters to such a crisis, as admits of no further iJiD- 

rtain expectation. I have thereiore sent off this 

cpress, with orders to make all pos?ible dispatch. 

is my most earnest requesi tl at he ii ay be re- 

rned with all possible expedl; ion, unless the hon- 

able Congress have already forwarded what is so 

dispensibly necessary." 

I have the honp.ui to be, ^^c. 



*8 BtogropJiical Mamohs «/" 

Letter from General Wafliington, 

To the President of Cofrgress, 

" Netv^York, July 25, 1770. 

•" Sir, 

" DISAGREEABLE as it is to me, and un- 
pleasing as it may be to Congress, to multiply of- 
ficers, I fmd myself under the unavoidable neces-'j 
sity of asking an increase of my aides-de-camp. | 
The augmentation of my command ; the increase 
of ray correspondence : the orders to give ; the in- 
structions to draw ; cut out more business than I 
am abl*? to execute in time with propriety. Th« 
business of so many different departments center- 
ing with me, and by me to be handed on to Con-*, 
gress for their information ; added to the inter^. 
course I am obliged to keep up with the adjacent i 
States; a«d incidental occurrences; all of which i 
require confidential and not hack writers to exeJ-j 
cute ; renders it impossible, in the present state otSlj 
things, for my family to discharge the several du4 
ti«fc expected of me, with .that precision and dis4 
patch that I could Wish. What will it be thenji 
w hen we come into a more active scene, and I aini 
called from twenty different places perhaps ^t thj 
same instant ? ^^ 

" Congress will do me the justice to believe ^ 
hope) that it is not my inclination or wish to rul| 
the continent to any unnecessary expence ; and. 
those who better know me will not suspect thall 

li 



General George lVas?ih:gto?u 5& 

sliew and parade can have any influence on my 
iTiind in luls instance. A conviction of the neces- 
sity of it, for the regular discharge of th^ trust re- 
posed in me, is the governing motive for the ap- 
plication ; and, as such, is submitted to Congress 

Your most obedient, &c. 
G. W." 



Extract of a Letter fiom Wash'mgfort, to the Preiident 
cf Cottgre^s» 

Ne^'YarTi, Septemher 2, 1776. 
^ Si?., 

" AS my intelligence of late has leen rather un- 
favorable, and would be received with anxiety and 
concern ; peculiarly happy should 1 esteem my- 
self, were \t in my power at this time, to trans- 
mit such information to Congress as would be more 
pleasing and agreeable to their wishes ; but, un- 
fortunately for me ; unfortunately for them ; it is 
not. 

" Our situation is truly distressing. The check 
our detachment sustained on the twenty-seventh 
ultimo, has dispirited too great a proportion of our 
troops, and filled their minds with apprehension 
and despair. The militia, instead of calling forth 
their utmost efforts to brave and manly opposition 
in order to repair our losses, are dismayed, untrae- 
table, and impatient to return. Great numbers of 
them have gone off; in some instance'^, filmost by 



Sv> Bicgmpdical Memoirs cf 

whole regiments, by half ones and- hy companiej^' 
at a time. This circiuiistance, of itself, indepen- 
dent of others, when fronted by a well-appointed 
enemy super ;- r number to our whole collected 
force, wou^d be sufficiently disagreeable : but, when 
their exam^ !e hab infected another part of the arj 
my when their waiit of discipline, an^ refusal off 
almost every kind of restraint and government, 
]iave produced a like conduct but too common to 
at tne ^^hoie, and an entire disregard of the order 
and subordination necessary to the well doing of 
an army, and which had been inculcated before, 
as wf 11 as the nature of our military establishment 
v/ould admit of; our condition is still more alarm*. 
ijiii; : and with the deepest concern I am obliged to 
confess my want of confidence in the generality of 
tjie troops. 

" All these circumstances fully confirm the o- 
pinion I ever entertained, and which I more than 
once in my letters took the liberty of mentioning 
to Congress, that no dependence could be put in a 
militia, or other troops than those enlisted and em- 
bodied for a longer perio4 than our regulation^ 
herfTofore have prescribed, I am persuaded, and 
as fully convinced as I am of any one fact that has 
happened, that our liberties must of necessity he. 
greatly hazarded if not entirely lost, if thcii defence 
is left to any but a permanent standing army ; I 
mean, one to exist during the war. Nor w^onid 
the expense incident to the snp[)ort of such a body 
qf troops as- would b^ competent to almost ever^^ 



General Ge^ge IVashhtgtcitt ^^1 

lexigency, far exceed that which is daily incurred 
hy calling in succour, and new enlistments, w ^r.cli 
wrhen effected, are not attended with any good 
ponsequences. Men who have been free and i^ub- 
ject to no control, cannot be reduced to order in an 
instant : and the privileges and exemptions they 

laim and will have, influence the conduct of oth- 
ers ; and the aid derived fron^ them is nearly couno 
ierba lanced by the disorde?, irregularity and confus 
sioiji the}' occasion. 

* I cannot find that the bounty of ten dollars 13 
ikely to produce the desired effect. When men 
:an get double that sum to engage ^'or a month or 
two in the militia, and that militia frequently 
called out, it is hardly to be expected. The uddi- 

ion of land might have a considerable influence on 

, permanent enlistment," 



Letter from General Wafhingtoji 

To the Preslde?it of Congress. 
Col. Morris's, on the Heights of Haerlem, SeptecZ' 



ber24, 1T76. 



DIR, 



« FROM the hours allotted to s!eep, I will bor^ 

ovv a few moments to convey my thoughts on 

iindry important matters to Congress I shall of- 

er them with the sincerity which ought to char-. 

rcterise a naan oj" c^n^our. and with the freedom 
■ 77 ' 



^2 ^lo^ra^Jiical IJemolrs of 

which may be used in giving useful information, 
without incurring the imputation of presumption. 

" We are now, as it were, upon the eve of an- 
other dissolution of our army. The remembrance 
of the difficulties which happened upon the occa- 
sion last year, the consequences which migh have 
followed the change if proper advantages had been 
taken b}^ the enemy, added to a knowledge of the 
present temper and situation of the troops, Reflect 
but a gloomy prospect upon the appearances of 
things now, an€ satisfy me beyond the possibility 
of doubt, that, unless some speedy and effectual 
measures are adopted by Congress, our cause will 
he lost. 

" It is in vain to expect that any or more than 
a trifling part of this army will again engage in 
the service on the encouragement offered by Con- 
gress, when men find that their townsmen and 
companions are receiving twenty, thirty, and moref 
dollars, for a few months' serrice (which is truly 
the case,) it cannot be expected without using com- 
pulsion ; and to force them into the service would 
answer no valuable purpose. When men are irri- 
tated, and the passions inflamed, they fly hastily! 
and cheerfully to arms ; but after the first emo-; 
tions are over * * % a soldier, r^^asoned with up- 
on the goodness of the cause lie is engaged in, and 
the inestimable rights he h contendiug for, hears 
you with patience, and acknowledges the truth of 
your observations, but adds^ '*hat it is of no more^ 
importance to him than ;!her^ The office! 



General Ceorge tVasJihgton, 65 

jnakes you the same reply, with this further re- 
mark, that his pay will not support him, and he 
canyot ruin himself and family to serve his co-un- 
try, when every member of the community is e- 
qiially interested and benefited by his labours. * * * 
<' It becomes evidently clear then, that as this 
contest is not likely to be the work of a day, — as 
the war must be carried on systematically, — and 
to do it you must have good officers, — there are, 
in my judgment, no other possible means to obtain 
them but by establishing your army upon a per- 
mvanent footing, and giving your officers good pay. 
Tills will induce gentlemen and men of character 
to engage ; and, till the bulk of your officers aro 
composed of such persons as are actuated by prin- 
ciples of honor and a spirit of enterprise, you have 
little to expect from them. They ought to have 
such allowances as will enable them to live like 
8iid support the characters of gentlemen. * * *> 
Besides, something is due to the man who puts his 
lire in \jour~] hands, hazards his health, and for- 
gets the sweets of domestic enjoyment. Why a 
captain in the continental service should receive 
no more than five shilings currency per day for 
performing the same duties that an officer of the 
same rank in the British service receives ten shil- 
lings sterling for, I never could conceive, especially 
wh«n the latter is provided with every necessary 
he requires upon the best terms, and the former 
can scarce procure them at any rate. There is 
nothing that gives a man conse<juence and renders 



h% ^lograpli'icat Alejmrs cf 

iiim fit for corarnarid, like a tupport that renderi^ 

him irdei'endent of every hody but thie state he 
swerves. 

" With respect to the m^n, nothing but a good 
bounty can obtain them upon a pern anent estab- 
lishment : and for no s^horter timie than ibe^con- 
linuance of the war, ought they to be engaged ; 
as facts incontestibly prove that the difficuiry and 
cost of enlistments increase with time. When the 
army was first raised at Cambridge, I am persua- 
ded that tiie met] might have been got, without a 
bounty, for the wa». After this they began xo tee 
Ihat the contest was not likely to end so speedily 
as was imagined, and to feel their consequence by 
remarking, that, to get in the militia in the course 
of the last year, many towns were induced to give 
them a bounty. - 

" Foreseeing the evils resulting froin tins, and 
the destructive consequences which unavoidably 
would follow short enlistments, 1 took the liberty 
in a long lettel* (date not now recollected, as my 
letter ho >k '^ not iiere) to recommend the enlist- 
inents for i ; ■ d ring the war, assigning such rea- 
sons for it &■< ex;.»erience has since convinced me 
were well founded. At that time, twenty dollars 
would, I am per-«ua'ied, have engaged the men for 
this term. But »c will not do to look back : and if 
the present oppir'nnity is slipped, 1 am persuaded 
thar •■^v C' vemotitiii n-orewill increase our diiSiculties 
fbur-'Cld I sbit.i : €- <' .iv Uike the freedom oi giving 
it as my opinion, that a good bounty be imnaediateh- 



Qeneral George tVi^slhigion, 6S 

offered, aided by the proffer of at least a hundred 
or a hundred and fifty acres of land, and a suit of 
clothes and blanket to each non-commissioned of- 
ficer and soldier ; as I have good authority f«r say- 
ing, that however high the men's pay may appear, 
it is barely sufficient, in the present scarcity and 
dearness of all Idnds of goods, to keep them in 
clothes, much less afford support to their families. 

" If this encouragement then is given to the 
men, and such pay allowed the officers as will in- 
duce gentlemen of character and liberal sentiments 
to engage, and proper care and precaution used in 
the nomination (having more regard to the char- 
acters of persons than the number of men they can 
enlist,) we should in a little time have an army 
able to cope with any that can be opposed to it, 
as there are excellent materials to form one out of. 
But while the only merit an officer possesses is his 
ability to raise men, while those men consider and 
treat him as an equal, and (in the character ot an 
officer) regard him no more than a broomstick, be- 
ing mixed together as one common herd, no order 
nor disdpline can prevail ; nor will the officer 
ever meet with that respect which is essentially 
necessary to due subordination. 

" To place any dependence upon militia, is as- 
suredly resting upon a broken staflf— men just 
dragged from the tendw scenes of domestic life — 
unaccustomed to the din of arms — totally unac- 
quainted with every kind of military skill ; which 
being followed by a v/&nt of confidence in them- 
F 2 



'4^ 'SicgyapJiical Memoirs of 

selves, wh^n opposed to troops regularly trained, 
disciplined, and appointed, superior in knowledge, 
and superior in arms,. makes tbem timid and ready 
to fly from t^.eir own shadows Besides, the sud» 
den ch9.nge in tlieir manner of living (particularly 
in the lodging; brings on sicknes? in many, impa- 
tience in all, and such an unconquerable desire of 
xeturning to their resjjective homes, that it not on* 
ly produces shameful and scandalous desertiorjs a- 
mong themselves, but infuses the like spirit into 
others. 

" Again; men accustomed to unboimded free^ 
dom and no control, cannot brook the restraint 
which is indispensibly necessary to the good order 
and government of an army without which, li^ 
centiousness and every kind of disorder triumphant* 
ly reign. To bring men to a proper degree of sub- 
ordination is not the work of a day, a month, or 
even a year ; and unhappily for us and the cause 
we are engaged in, the little discipline I have been 
laboring to establish in the army under my imme- 
diate command, is in a manner done away, by hav- 
ing such a mixture of troops as have be«n called; 
together within these few months. 

" Relaxed and unfit as om rules and regulation? 
©f war are for the government of an army, the mi- 
litia (those properly so called ; for of these we have 
two sort, the six-raonths-men, and those sent in as 
a temporary aid) do not think themselves subject 
to them, and therefore take liberties which the sol- 
dier :s punished fcr. This creates jeaieijsy ; .?e?t*A> 



CmeraJ George lVaiKingfQ}i, ^ 

4usy begets dissatisfactions ; and these by degrees 
xipen into mutiny, keeping the whole army in a 
confased and disordered state ; rendering the tinj.e 
of those who wish to Gee regularity and good or- 
der prevail, more unhappy than words can des- 
cribe. Besides this, such repeated changes take 
place, that all arrangement is set at nought, and 
the constant fluctuation of things deranges every 
plan as fast as adopted. 

" These, sir, Congress may be assured, are but 
a small part of the inconveniencies which might be 
enumerated^ and attributed to militia : but there is 
one that merits particular attention, and that is th? 
expense. Certain I am, that it would be cheaper 
to keep fifty or an hundred thonsand in constant 
pay, than to depend upon half the number, and 
supply the other half occasionally by militia. The 
time the latter are in pay before and after they are 
in camp, assembliug and marching ; the waste of 
ammunition, the consumption of stores, which, int 
spite of every resolution or requisition of Congress^ 
they must be furnished with, or sent home ; added 
t-o other incidental expences consequent upon their 
«oming and conduct in camp, si#passes all idea^ 
and destroys every kind of regularity and economy 
which you could «stablish among fixed and settled 
troop?, and will, in my opinion, prove (if the 
scheme is adhered to) the ruin of our cause. 

^ " The jealousies of a standing army, and the e- 
vils to be apprehended from one, are remote, and, 
}n mj ^^«dgm«ntj situate^ and cifcumstanced al' 



$3 Bic^raffk'ical Manoirs of 

we are, not at all to be dreaded : but the fconse- 
quence of wanting one, according to my ideas 
formed from the present view of things, is certain 
and inevitable ruin. For, if I was called upon to 
declare upon oath, whether the militia have been 
most serviceable or hurtful upon the whole, I 
should subscribe to the latter. I do not mean by 
•this, however, to arraign the conduct of Congress t 
in so doing, I should equally condemn my own 
measures, if did not my judgment : but experience, 
which. is the best criterion to work by, so fully, 
elearly and decisively reprobates the priictice of 
trusting to militia, that no man who regards or- 
der, regularity and economy, or who has any re- 
gard to his own honour, character, or peace of 
juind, v/ill risk them upon this issue. * * * 

" An army formed of good officers, moves like 
clock-work : but there is no situation on earth less 
enviable nor more distressing than that person's 
v/ho is at the head of troops who are regardless of 
Order and discipltne, and who are unprovided with 
almost every necessary. In a word, th' diificulties 
which have forever surrounded me since I have 
teen in the servtice, and kept my mind constantly 
•vipon the stretch — the wounds which my feelings 
(as an officer) have received a thousand things 
which have happened contrary to my expectation 
and wishes, * *' *— -added to a consciousness of 
my inability to govern an army composed of sucli 
discordant parts, and under such a variety of intri- 
cate and perplexing circumstances— ind ace not only 



General George Washington* 4^ 

a belief, but a thorougli conviction in my mind, 
that it will be impossible (unless there is a thorough 
cbangje in our militar}- system) for me to conduct; 
matters in such a manner as to give satisfaction tp 
the public, which is all the recompence I aim at^ 
or ever wished for. 

*' Before 1 ccinclude, I niust apologize for the lib- 
erties taken in this letter, and for the blots and. 
scratchings therein, not h:iving time to give it 
more correctly. With truth i carj add, that, with 
every sentiment of respect aud esteem, I am yours 
iRnd the Congress 

kiost obedient, ^c. 



Letter"from General Wafiiington^ 

To the CommUtee of Congress^ on a vh'it to tlie Camj), 
Camp at the Clove, July 10, J7Tt 
Gentlemen, 

" The littlfe notice T had of your coming i« the 
iarm}', and the :^hortness of your stay in camp, will 
more than probably occasion the omission of many 
matters, which of right ought to be laid before 
you ; and the interruption which my thoughts 
constantly meet by a variety of occurrences, must 
apologize for the crude and indigested manner in. 
Wliich they are offered, 

^* The completion of the continental regiment^ 



70 Blogrnplkal Memoirs rf 

is a matter of such infinite iirportance, tliat I 
lliink EO means should be left unessayed to acccm- 
plibh it. Draughting where the powers of gov- 
ernment are adequate, would be the ST>ecdie£t and 
most effectual, but if it sliould bethought unadvis- 
able to attempt this mode — next to it I would 
recommend that the business of recruiting shouid i 
be taken entirely out cf the hands of the officers of 
the army, and that each state should appoint some 
person of known activity (one for instance, who 
has been a good under-sheriff) in each county or 
towniihip, not only to recruit, but to apprehenc^ 
deserters : these persons to be liberally rewarded 
for each recruit, and deserter whom they shall de-* 
liver, at stated periods and places, to officers ap- 
pointed to receive, discipline, and march them to 
the army ; none of these recruiters to have the- 
smallest power to act out of their own districts,; 
but to be absolutely fixed to them. 

*' A mode of this kind would, in my humble o- 
pinion, be less burthensome to the public than the 
present; prevent the idle habits which recruiting 
officers contract, not only injurious to themselves, 
but to others; the most effectual means which can 
be devised for the recovery of deserters ; the surest 
way of keeping your regiments of equal strength, 
and of making the duty more equal in the detail 
of it ; in a v\ ord, many valuable advantages would 
result from it, whilst 1 can suggest but one reason 
ugainst it ; and that, (fully satislied I am) when 
"yveighed in the scale of interest, will not operate ;■ 



General George Jrashwgfoj:, VI 

I mean, the keeping so many officers in the camp^, 
who might be spared from the duties of the field 
till the regiments are stronger than at present. 
The sixteen additional regiments labour under sucii 
disadvantages in some states, as to render the in- 
terposition of Congress, in some shape or other, 
iadispensabi/ necessary. 

" With respect to food, considering we are in 
snch an extensive and abundant country, no ar- 
my was ever worse supplied than ours, with many 
essential articles of it. Our soldiers, the greatest 
part of last campaign and the whole of this, have 
scarcely tasted any kind of vegetables, had but lit- 
tle salt ; and vir*egar which would have been a 
tolerable substitute for vegetables, they have been 
in a great measure strangers to. Neither hava 
they been provided with proper drink : beer or ci- 
der seldom comes within the verge of the camp, 
and rum in much too small quantities. Thus, to 
devouring large quantities of animal food, untem- 
pered by vegetables or vinegar, or by any kind of 
drink but water, and eating indifferent bread, (but 
for this, a remedy is provided) are to be ascribed 
the many putrid diseases incident to the army, and 
the lamentable mortality that attended us last cam- 
paign. If these evils can be remedied, the ex- 
pence and trouble ought not to be obstacles. — 
Though some kinds of vegetables are not to be had, 
othcs are, which, together with sour crout and 
vinegar, might easily be had, if proper persons ac- 
quamted with the business w«r€ employed thtrdp. 



Vi Bhgrapliical Memoirs of 1 

" Soap is another article in great demand, t1i« 
continental allowance is too small ; and. dear as j 
every necessary of life is now got, a soldier's pay \ 
%vi 1 not enable him to purchase ; by which mean^, 
his consequent dirtiness addh not a little to thedii 
eases of the-arnry. 

*' \ have no reason to accuse the clothier gene-' 
ral of inattention to his depi-riment ; ard there- 
fore, as his supplies are incojnpftent to the wantss' 
of vhe army. I am to siippoFe his resources are? 
unequal Ought not each state then to be called 
upon to draw such supplies from the country; 
manufactories, as can be afforded ? particularly o^ 
shoes, stockings, shirts and blankets, articles mdis- 
pensably necessary, and of which scarce too many 
can be provided -.in the mean while every provis-! 
ion to be making, for clothing the troops uniformly^ 
and warm in the winter. It is a maxim thati 
needs no illucidation, that nothing can be of more^ 
importance in an army, than the clothing and' 
feeding it welh On these the health, comfort 
and spirits of the soldiers essentially depend ; and 
it is a melancholy fact, that the American army 
axe miserably defective in both these respects. The' 
distress most of them are in for want of clothing j 
is painful to humanity, dispiriting to themselves, .' 
and discouiaging to every officer. It makes^ eve- j 
ry pretention to the preservation of cleanliness im-j 
possible, exposes them to a variety of disorders, amd 
abates or destroys that military pride without,: 
which nothing can be expected from any arotv 



Ctneral Geofge WashUgioiu 7S 

>* The consequence of giving rank indisctimately 
u much to be dreadei : great dissatisfactioti has al- 
ready arisen on account of bestowing this on offi- 
cers in the civil departments of the army, on thci 
inferior staff, waggon-masters, ;ivC. who, by cus- 
tom, propriety, and every other rnptive, are exclu- 
ded from it in aU well legulated armies. The toa 
great liberality practised in this respect will des- 
troy the pride of rank where it ought to exist, and 
will n >t only render it cheap, but contemptible. 
It is the policy of z\\ armies to make it valued ani 
respected, as a stimuhis to emulation, and an in- 
citement to bold and jrallant undertakings ; it must 
be v^ry unadviseably therefore, in our infant state 
of war, t# adopt HOvel customs to bring it into dis- 
credit ; which must and vvili be the consequenca 
of making it too common, besides the dis>gu8t it 
creates in others. 

*' An auditor of accounts, to be constantly with 
the army, is absolutely requibite. It is absolutelj' 
impossible for me, crowded as 1 am with other bu- 
siness, to examine and adjust the numerous com- 
plex accounts of the army with that correctness 
the public have a right to expect, before warrant! 
pass for piyment ,• and, without doing it, great 
iraporitions may follow. The provisions for ma- 
king regiment.! pay-mapters regulate all regimen- 
tal accounts is altogether incompetent to the ei^d 
proposed from it ; for these men being appointed 
generally agreeable to the recommendation of the 
;&eld ofticers of the regiments they belong to; as- 
G 



^^ BioorrpJucal Alemclti of 

sociating constiintly w'Ah the officers of their corps^ 
and' in a great measure under tlitiircon^roul; can- 
not be Considered as si:fficlently unirifluencc-ii ; nor 
are auihors' at a di^taneo from the army of much 
uss, as it wor.ld require a delay w^>\ adniibsible, to 
send accounts to tliem to audit before they were 
paj'^ed and j.aid in con«eqiienGe of warrants from, 
the commarder in -ohief of the army. 

'"^ A good geo^apber, to-, survey the roads and 
take ske'ches of the country v/here the array is to 
act, would \-ye extrenaely u eful, and might be at- 
tended with exceeding A'aluabieconseq^iGnccs. Ho 
might with propriety liave the chief direction of 
the glides, and must tiave a head to procure, gov- 
ern, and pay tliem. If such a person should be ap- 
proved of, I wo ild beg leave to recommend Mr. 
.Robert Krskine; who is thoroughly tkiiled in this 
business, has already assisted u? in making maps 
of the coimtry, and has (as 1 am in*'orme<1) uni- 
jformly sup^)orted the character of a fast frididto 
America. 

*' A small travelHnn; press, to follow head-quar- 
ter' would be producti'Ae of many eminent advan- 
t;. g3'. It would enable us to give speedy and ex- 
ai.t mformation of any military transactions that 
take place, with proper comments upon them, arid 
thereby frustrate the {-.ernicicus tendency of falsa- 
•hood and misrepresent'ition, which, in my opinion, 
•of whatever co.nplexion they may he, are, in the 
main, dotrirt;en*:\! to our catise. If the people had: 
a channel of inteUigence, that, liom its ufual aii- 



Ceneral G^Z'^ge IFaimyigion, "YS 

t^ienticityv'the}^ conld look up to with confidence, 
they ^^^[ht often be preserved from tVit dt^spon- 
dency which the;/ are apt to fail into, from the ex- 
aggerated p'ciiires our enemies and their emi=^•ari€S^ 
among us co\nmonly draw of any misfortunes v/e 
meet with — and from that diflidence oi trutlis fa- 
voraMe to us, which tUey mtist natnraliy feel from 
Tae frequent deception they are exposed to, by the 
extravagant colourings onr friends often give to our 
successes. It would also be very u^cfui to di.?patch 
.business in camp, beii.g tlie most expeditious 
means of taking cooies of orders or other matters 
that require to be dispersed, and would save a gooi. 
deal in returns and other papers we are often oblig- 
ed to get printed in Philadelphia. An ingenious' 
man to accompany tb.is pre.-'>, ai'd be employ t^^ 
whoHy-iri vvritiug far it,, might render it ^iiiguiaily 
beneficial. 

■ '' I am exceedingly crnbarra^sed how to dispose 
of the f:rench ofiicers in gencnil,but more especial- 
ly the artillery ofiicers, who are come out under 
the sanction of a compact. I can think of no oth- 
^ way tfian that of form^^ a separate corps of 
them, an»< iraughting moa from the whole hne to 
compose tiiat corps : bnt'-cven this will be attend- 
ed ■v.ith many disagreeable cfi^^cts ; anvtr g others, 
this is not the ie?.st, that officers wiii think them--» 
selves much injured lo l;ave the men tlie^' have 
Iiiid the trouble of niisir^g, tak' n from them and 
.given to others. There is something in this wliich 
is discouraging, and breaks the spirit of a good oil? 



* ic.< utxeiiio^n or 



err, who pndes himself in having a full and com* 
plete corps. 

" A doubt ha? arisen, whether a person who 
belongs to any 0^ the United States of America, 
and who owed allegiance to any of the said states, 
- — that went to the enemy some time past, and 
since thi; time his been lurking about any of tlie 
fortifications, or about any of tlie encampment; of 
the armies of the United Mates, plundering and 
driving off cattle to the enemy, recruiting for them, 
or coomiatJig uny other atrocious crime, or who 
is appointea an officer in the enemy's army — can 
he tried by a cvneral court-martial, under the reso- 
lution of Conoress of t )e twenty-Hrst of August^ 
1776. and punished as a spy. 1 hav^e the honour 
to be, (koi 

G. W.'» 



Corrcfpondence between General Wafh- 
ington and General G.<ge, refpeding 
the baa treatment of prifoners. 

Litlerfr 7H h',s Excellency G^^neral H^aihhigtcHf io GcH'* 
erai G ge. ^ 

IIccd-Qurtcru Cambridge y Jugu^ H, 1775. 

" I under?t;Kd *hat the officers, engaged in th6 
cause of liberty an I their country, wlio, by the for- 
tune of war, ba. '^ fa'fn into vour hai.ds, have 
been thrown indiitcrimiiiatel/ iulo a common g^ci. 



Qeyieral George ffasU-n^on* 77 

appropriated for felons— that r.o consideration has 
been made for those of the most respectable rank, 
•when languishing with wound? and sickness — that 
some of them have been amputated in this unv/or- 
thy situation. 

" Let your opinion, sir, of tlic principle which 
actuates them, te what it may, they suppose they 
act from the noblest of al! principles, a lov« of uee- 
dom and their country. But pohticai opinions, I 
conceive, are foreign to Ibis point. The obhga* 
tions arising from the right of humanity and claims 
of rank, are universally binding and extensive, ex- 
cept in case of retaliation. These, I should hav« 
hoped, would have dictated a mor^ tender treat- 
ment of those individuals, v/h©m chance or war 
had put in your power. Nor caii 1 forbear sug- 
gesting its fatal tendency tt3 widen that unhappy 
breach, which you, and those minister- under u honi 
you act, hu.ve repeatedly deciajed you wish to see 
forever closed. 

*' My duty now^ mak€S it necessary to apprio*- 
you, that for tlic future, I shall regulate my con- 
duct towards those gentlemen of your army, who 
are, or may be in our possession, exactly by the 
rule you may observe towards those of ours who 
jnay be in }'our custody. 

*^ If severity and hardship mark the ilne of ydtr 
conduct) painful as it may be to ipe) your prison- 
ers will feel its effects ; but if kindness and hu- 
manity are she\^n to ours, I shall, with phasure, 
consider those m our Imnds, only as unloituiiat^ 
G 2 



73 B'c:^T^^hlc::l Bfcmohsrf 

aru-l thev <hd}A jeceive from me thst trratmcnt to- 
wiicl) the liiiforhinate are ev-'x eniitled, 

'^ I beg to be favored witlian answer as soon as 
possible, and am, sir, 

Your very hu'^^Me servant, 

G. Washington.** 
ilts Excellency General Gr<^<?« 



ANSWER. 

Baton, ylugiisi 13, 17T5. 



o .<?, 



■f?, 



V ~(y the gtory of cii^-ihVd nations, h.iman- 
it} and war have been compatible ; ajid oom|jas- 
sion to the subdued is beco.ne almost a general 
system. 

*• Britons, ever pre en-iin^nt \r\ mercy have out- 
gone <^m')ion examples, and over!ooke<i the crim- 
inal in the captive. U[)on tliese principles your 
prisoners, who^e lives by th.e laws of tbe land, are 
destined to tlie cord, have hitherto been treated 
with care ani kiadness, and more comfortably 
^)dged. than the ki rig's iroops, in the hospitals ; - 
indiscriminately, it is true, for I acknowledge no^ 
rank that is not derived from the king. 

" My intelligence from your army would justify 
S'^vere re.::riTnination. I nn Itrstand there are soiue 
Qf the king's faithful subjects, taken some time 
sinc(^ b.' 'ht rebels, Libouiiijg like iSegro alaveF, to 
gaiu Iheir dftily gubiit>teii<;e, or re<iuc«d lo the 



General George Wasfnrgtcn. T9 

•wrrMvd aUe^p'^t've, to perish by famine, cr lake 
uu,arm^ ap.i^n-t iheir k n and conniry. llio e, 
uho have made the treuiment of the prisonrrs in 
tiiy hands, or of ydur otlicr friejids in Hostoii, a 
preteiice for such measures, found barbarity upon 
fulspliood. 

" I womM willing^' Iripe, sir, that the senti- 
xneii-s of liberality which I iiave always believed 
yo'i to po s.s, will be e.<erted co correct their mis- 
doinTg. Be temperate in political disquisitions; 
give Tree operation to ir;jtli,an.(i wimish th ise who 
deceiveand misrepresent ; and not ov^.y the efifeots, 
but the ca'i e.s of this uniuppy coofuet* wiii bO n 
be removed. 

" Should thos?, und?r v.'ho?e usqrpecf authority- 
yon act, controu! such a dispobitlon and ^^te to call 
severity retaiiatioii, to God. \w\\o kuovvs all liearts, 
be the appeal for the dread' ui conseqifences. I 
trust, that British soldiers, Verting the rights ef 
the state, thelawsof tiie land, the being of the con- 
stitution, will meet all events with becoming for- 
titude. They will court victory with the spirit 
their can^e insnires, and from the same motive, 
"will iind the patience of martyrs under miifor- 
tnne. 

'' Till T r^ad yoisr insinuations in regard to min- 
isters, I cor.ceived that J acted under the king ; 
whose wishes, it is true, as well as those of his 
miniiter!"'. and of every honest man, have been ta 
see this unhappy breach forever clo?ed : but nnf r- 
timately fot butU countrits, ihuj>« who have lo. g 



SO Ekgra^kal JMsmom of 

since projected the present crisis, and influence the 
councils of America, have views very distant frora 
ftcooimodation. I am, sir, 

Your obedient, humble servant, 
Thomas' Gage," 
George Waslungtonf Esq, 

REPLY. 

» Ihad-Quarter^j Cnvihridge^'i 

'^ Aiguit 19, 1775.3 

" Si?-, 

" I addressed you on the II th instant, in 
terras which gave the fairest scope for the exercise 
of that humxnity and politeness, which were sup- 
posed to form a part of your character. I remon- 
strated with you on the unworthy treatment shewn 
to the officers and citizens of America, whom the 
fortune of war, chance, or a mistaken confidence, 
had thrown into your hands. 

" Whether British or American mercy, forti- 
tude and patience, are most pre-eminent — whether 
our virtuous citizens^ whom tlie hand of tyranny 
has forced into arms, to defend their wives, their 
children, and their property, or the mercenary in- 
struments of lawless domination, avarice and re 
venge, best deserve the appellation of rebels, and 
the punishment of that cord, which your affected 
eiemency has forborn to inflict — whether the au- 
thority under which I act, is usurped, or founded 
en the genuine principles of liberty, were altogeth- 



:|i 



General George Ifash'mgfon, 81 

er foreign to the subject. I purposely avoided all 
political disquisition; nor shall I now avail myself 
of those advantages, which the sacred cause of my 
country, of Uberty and human nature, give me o- 
ver you ; much less shall 1 stoop to retort any in- 
vective. But the intelligence, y®u gay you havd 
received from our armv, requires a reply. 1 have 
talven time, sir, to raakfe a strict enquiry, and find 
that it his not the least foundation in truth. Not 
only your officers and soldiers have l#cen treated 
v/itti a tenderness due to fellow-citizens and 
bretiiren, but even those execrable parricides, 
who.^iB councils and aid have deluged their coun* 
try in blood, have been protected from the fu- 
ry of a j istly enrage 1 people. Far from compelling 
or permitting their assis'ance, I am embarrassed 
with the number who crowd to our camp, anima/- 
ted with the purest principles of virtue and love 
of their coimlry. You advis«5 me to give free ope- 
ration to truth ; to punish misrepresentation and 
falsehood. Jf experience stamps value upon coun* 
I, yours must have a weight which few can 
claim. You best can tell how far tht; convulsion, 
which has brought such ruin on both countries, 
and shaken the mighty empire of Britain to itg 
foundation, may be trucecl to these malignant ca.u- 
sea. 

** You affect, sir, to despise all rank, not derived 
from the same i^otlrce with your own. 1 cannot 
conceive one more iionouiabie, than that whkh 



8-2 BhgrapMcal Memoks of 

flows froiYi tlie uncorrupted choice of a brave and 
free people, the purest source and original fountain 
of all power, — Far from nnaking it a plea for cruel- 
ty, a mind of true m?igminiv-iity and enlarged idca^\ 
would comprehend and respect it. 

*' What may have been the mini,=-terlal view? 
which have precipitate.] the present crisis, Lexing- 
ton, Concord, and Carlestown, can best declare. 
May that Qpd, to whomyoa then appealed, judge 
between America and you. Under his providence 
those who influence tlie councils of America, and 
all the other inhabitants of the unite i co'-onjc';, at 
the hazird of their lives, are determined to hand 
down to posterity, tho-e just and invaluable privi 
ieges which they received from their ancestors. 

*^ 1 shall nov/, sir, clo^e my correspondence v/Itlj 
you, perhaps for ever. If your officer'-', our prison- 
ers, receive a trrataient froin me dlvT^^rent from 
what I wished to shew thera, they and you will 
lemember the occasion of It. . 

" I am, sir, 

*< Your very humble servant, 

" G. Washington/' 

^' Genfiral Gaee." 



mCcncral Gc rge Waihht'pon. 85 

Tlic preceding letters wiU ever convey to the 
V'orld, a i\»fficient testimor!\ of tbe allention and 
care, whicl), at all times, General Vv'asliir.gton ex- 
tended to the soldiers under liis coirimand. The 
whole of his official letters are uniformly charac- 
terized with those tender and sympathetic picitures, 
which the appearance of real want in others im- 
press on a lively and feeling mind, and which was 
the best calculated to rouse in the minds of Con- 
greis, a sense of the sufferings of those who were 
facriucing their ease, and risking their lives to es- 
tablish the idcpendence of their country. Observe 
the extreme modesty which he assumes, when he 
requests for himself, even an aid-decamp, which 
the multiplicity of his cares rendered essentia! — 
contrast it with that freedom with which he de- 
Hvers his opinion on other sp.bjects which regard 
the comfort of his fellow soldiers onh^-— and with 
the manly language in which he addressses Gen- 
eral Gage, for his ill treatment to those whom the 
misfortune of war placed in his pov,er — Then we 
behold the citizen — the General. 

To those ungrateful few, who, stimulated by 
Rial ice, have heretofore endeavoured to sully his 
honour and military reputation, and to inapress up- 
on the puhlic mind, the ungenerous idea, that he 
was instrumental to the shedding of innocent blood, 
and inflicting wanton cruelty upon the prisoners 
Df the enemy, we recommend a perusal of his let- 
ters to Congress upon that subject ; there they wiii 
find him combating the idea with th€ language of 



1 



$4 Biographical Memoirs of ^ 

reason, and censnr*n» the inhuman pmctice. T' «, 
historians of the Amer'Can war have uniformly 
represented the cass of Major Andre as an exam* 
pie of in'ni:nxn nti-irder oii the part of America. 
Oa t'lis oeoa-ioM General WAoh.ngton sacrificed 
hi:^ Ovvn feelin^i, to the '•' necessities of inexf»rabl« j 
justi-je.'* Tae sentence w^as pronounced withi 
tti\\2\ hesitation, and, at its execution, he w.^s' 
seen to she! tears — Nor is it necessary for us to re- 
mind them of his fortitude to with-tand the threats, 
or virtue to scorn the bribes of the emissaries of thej 
British Cabinet, for one uniform principle of pru^ 
dence and wisdom seemj to luve regulated evenT' 
tninsaction of his life. 

When General Washington received th<? joyful- 
Intelligence of peace, he expressed himself to tlie, 
army who had accompanied him through the dan- 
gers, toils and difficulties of this glorious struggle, 
in the following address : 

ORDERS 

Issued hy General iVashington^ to the army, . 

Head-Omrters, April 18, 1783, 

THE Commander in Chief orders the cessation, 
of hostilities between the United States of Ameri 
ca and the King of Great-Britain, to be publicly 
proclaimed to-morrow^ at twelve o'clock, at th 
new building ; and that the proclamation, which,! 
\yiil be coixuxiuiiicated herevt^lth, be read to-morro,W'| 



(General George Washington, ' 8^ 

eTCuing at the head of every regiment and corps 
of the army ; alter which tlie c'laplains, vvith the 
several brigades, will render thanks to the AU 
mighty God for all his mercies, particularly for his 
over-ruiing the wrath of man to his own glory, 
and causing the rage of war to cease among nations. 
*' Aith>ugti the proclamation, before alluded to, 
extends only to the prohibition of ho--tiMities. and 
not to the annunciation of a general peace, yet it 
niust alTord the most rational and sincere satisfac- 
tion to every benevolent mind, as it puts a period 
to a long a doubtful contest, stops the effusion of 
human olood, opens the prospect to a more splen- 
did scene, and, like another m-irningetar, promises 
the approach of brighter days than hath hitherto 
ilhiminatcd hj Western Heinisphere, On such a 
hap}>y d:y, which is the harbinger of peace, a day 
which completes the eighth year of the war, it 
would be ingratitude not to rjoice : it would bo. 
insensibility not to participate in the general felici- 
ty. 

*' The Commander in Chief, far. from endcavor- 
in'T to stifle the feelings of joy in his own bosom, 
Ou'ers his most cordial congratulations on the occa- 
sion to all the officers of every denomination ; to 
all the troops of the United States in general ; and, 
in particuhir, to those gallant and persevering men 
who had resolved to defend the rights of their in- 
vaded country, so long as the war should continue. 
For these are the men who ought to be considered 
as the pride and boast of the Ameikan araiy ; and 



36 Biographical Mcvimrs ef^ 



V/bo crowned, with well-earned laurels, may soon 
withdraw from tht field of glory to the more tran- 
quil walks of civil life. While the Commfeiide^ 
in Chief recollects the clmcst infinite variety of^: 
t^eenes thrcrgh which we liave past, with a mix- . 
ture of pleasure, astonishment, and gratitude ; 
v/hile he contemplates the prospect before ns.witJi 
rapture, he cannot help v iLhij-e- that all the Irave 
jVien, of whatever condition they may be, who 
have shared the toils and dangers of effecting thlsi 
glorious revolution ; of rescuing millions from theV 
hand of oppresiiion, and of laying the foundation 
of a great empire, might be imprei-sed with a j)rop- 
cr idea of the dignified part they have been called; 
to act, under the smileb' of Providence, on the stage 
of human affairs ; for happy, thrice happy ihail 
they be pronounced hereafter, who have contribu--i 
ted any thing, who have performed the mcar.ehtt 
office in erecting this stupendous fabiuc of ifi;E— 
DOM AND EMPn^E on the brond basis of indepcndcp.-'^ 
ey ; who have assisted in protecting the rights off 
liuman nature, and ebtublishing an asylum for theiri 
poor and oppressed of all nations ai.d religioi-s. — ^ 
The glorious task for which we at first Hew tai 
arms being accom-plished — the liberties of our cc en- ' 
try being full}, acknowledged and firmly secured- 
by the smiles of Heaven on the purity of our cause,', 
and the honest exertions of a feeble [Kople, deterJ- 
mined to be free, against a powerful nation diipos- 
el to oppress them ; and the character of thos« 
"who have persevered through every extremity t\ 



C:mral George IFasIihigiai, ft 7 

fardshlp, 5>uTering, and dans^er, I>eirg immnrta'ksd 
»y the iikfstrious appellation of the ■patriot crnny^ 
lothinjv now remains but for the actors of thiu 
nii?;*ity scene to pre?erve a perfect unvarying con- 
istency of character through tlie very last act. to 
lose the drama with applause ; and to retire from 
he military theatre with the same approbation of 
.ngels and men which have crowned all their for- 
Qer virtnous aetions. For this purpose, no disor- 
er or Tcentiousness must be tolerated. — Ever/ 
onsidcrat^ and well-disposod soldier must remem- 
ler it will be absolutely necessary to wait v/ith pa- 
ience un^il peace shall be declared, er Corgress 
hall be enabled to take j)rGper measures for the se- 
urity of the public stores, <Src. As soon as these 
rrangemcnls sliali bo made, the General is cons- 
ent, there v/iil be no dciay in discharging^, with 
i'ery mark of distinction and honor, ail the men 
nliiited for the war, who will tlien have faithful- 
I' performed their en.ragements with the public. 
'he General has already interested himself in their 
ehalf, and he tliinks he need not repeat the as- 
irance of his disposition to be useful to them on 
IG present and erery other proper occasion, in 
le mean time, he is dotermined that no military 
32;lects or excesses shall go unpunished while he 
Jtains the command of the army. 
*' The Adjutant-GGnei-al will have such work- 
g parties- detached, to assist in making the pre- 
xrations for a general rejoicing, as the chief En- 
Rcer with the army shall call for; and th« ^ar^. 



d8 BicgrJ-p?:':eaI lil^nfoirs of 

ter Master-General will, w itliout delay, prccnro 
such a number of dischargeo to be printed as will 
be sufficient for all the men enlisted f(.r toe war- 
he will please to apply to head quarters for th«j 
form. — An extra ration oF liquor to be ia^ued to ev- 
ery man to morrow to drink, " Perpetual Peace 
and Happiness to the United States ol America." 



The follou^ing resolutions were passed by Con^ 
gfess, on the 7th of August, 178:3, viz. 

«BY THE UNITED STATES, 

Iw CoNGHESS ASSI:ME£"^0. 



** Resdved wi.vimcusl^, Ten Sta es being pres- 
ent, 

*' THAT an Kquestnan Statue of Gerrral 
Washington be erected at the place where ihe 
residence of Congress shall be established : 

'* Rcsohed, That the btatute, be of bronze, the 
General to be represented in a Roman dre<s, aold- 
ing a truncheon in his right hand, and his hcadi 
encircled in a laurel wreath ; the statute to be sup- 
ported by a marb.e pedestal, on which iiie to be 
represented, in basso relievo, the fallowing pnnci^ 
pal events of the war, in v/hich General \\ aching- 
ton comrnandefl in person, •v':z. The Evaciiatioii o| 
Boston — The Capture of the Hessian? at Trci'-oii 
—The Cattle of Princeton — The acUon of fvlon- 
mouth — and the surrender of York. On the up^ 
j)er part of the front of the pedestc^i to be engraveJ 



General George IfcJnv^oiu 80 

as follows : " The United States in Congress as- 
sembled, orflered this statute to be erected in the 
vear of our Lord, 1783, in the honour of George 
Washington, the illustrious commander in chief of 
the armies of the United States of America, du- 
ring the war, which vindicated and secured their 
liberty, sovereignty and independence." 

** Retr/'irdy 'i'hat a statue conformable to the a- 
bove plan, be executed by the bcbt artist in En- 
rope, under the ^uperintendar.cc of tlie Minister of 
the Unitr'd States at the Court of Versailles, and 
that mcuey to defray the exponce of the game, 
be furnitjhed from the Treasury of the United 
States. 

*' RfS'ihrcf, That the Secretary of Congress trans- 
mit to the Minibier of the United States at the 
Court of Versailks. the best resemblance of GeneraJ 
Washitigton that can be procured, for the purpose 
of having the above statute erected, together with 
the iittcbt description of the events which are to 
bp the subject oi the basso rehevo." 



On the 26th of August, 1783, General Wash- 
ington, at the request of Congress, proceeded to 
Princeton, wliere the Congress was then sitting, 
and being introduced by tw^o members, the Presi^ 
sent addressed him as follows, liz, 

" Sir, 

" CONGRESS feel particular pleasure in sce^ 
ing your Excellency, and in congratulating you on 



90 JSkgrafiliifal Jllcmoirs of 

the success of a war in which you have acted s« 
concpicuous a part ; 

" It has been the singular happiness of the U- 
iiited States, that during a war so long, so danger- 
ous and so important, Providence has been gra- 
ciously pleased to preserve the life of a general, 
who has merited and possessed the uninterrupted 
confidence and affection of his fellow-citizens. In 
other nations, many have perfor-^^ed services for 
which they have deserved and received the thanks 
of the public ; but to yon, sir, peculiar praise is 
due : your servicei have been essential in acquiring 
and establishing the freedom aud independence of 
your country ; they deserve the grateful acknowl- 
edgment of a free and independent n?.tion ; those 
acknowledgments Congress have the satisfacliori 
of expressing to your Excellency. 

" Hostilities have now ceased, but your conn- 
try still needs you fervices ; slie wishes to avaiL 
herself of your talents in forming the arrar.gcments 
which will be necessary for her in the time of 
peace; for this reason, your attendance at Congress 
has been requested. A Ccmmitte is appointed to 
confer with your Excellency, and to receive your 
assi tance in preparing and adjusting plans lebr- 
tive to those iipportant objects.'-* 



G^ierat George IVasKuigton, 9| 

To tvJuch hh Excellency rjw.de iJ:3 follcwh:^ 

REPLY 

« Mu Pnsyefit, 

" T AM too fens;b?f of the ^0T^n^^aI3le rrccp- 
ticn T have now experiertofd, not to be penetralecJ 
with the deepest feeMngs of gratitude. 

*' Nolwithstaudine; Congre?^' appv"ar to estirr>at<j 
the value of my life beyond anv s-erviees I have 
been able to render the United States, yet I nr usl 
be permitled to consider lhe wisdoa^ and unanim- 
ity of our national councils, tl^.e firmnes.^ of cit cit^ 
izen^, and the patience aid bravery of our troo]iS, 
which have produced ?o happy a termination of 
the war, as the most con<-p'cuous eiTect of the Di- 
vine interposition, and the surett presage of our fu- 
ture hippines^s 

" Highly ^►"atified by the nxvorable sentimen^S^ 
v/h:ch Congress are pleased to express of niy pant 
conduct, and amply rew arded by the confidence 
and afiection of my fel'.o w-citizens, J cannot liesi- 
tate to contribute my best endeavour^ tov\ ards the 
establishment of the natioria! ?ecnrity iii whatever 
n:anner the soverc^^: p wor ii.ay think prof^er to 
direct until the raiiMcalion of lhed«^finitive treaty 
of reare. or the final eva;'ii3t"on nf onr country \y 
the Br^t'?! force-- ; after e Iher of whioh events I 
shall ask perm.ssijn to retire to the peaceful shade 
of priv'.te I'fe. 

** Ptfiiia^)ijj s>r, no occ^siiou iiiay offer aiOiC sjuit* 



€2 BTogr^pJiical Alefiiclrs cf 

atle than the present, to express my humble thaiiks 
to God, i^nd. my grateiul ackno\vledgii}er.ts to my 
country, for tlie great and imiform support 1 have 
received in every viciss'tude of fortune, and for the 
many distinguished honors whieh Congress have 
been pleased to confer upon me in the course of the 
war." 



Afler the final conciufion cf the per.ce in 1783, 
8- prcclamation was ii;5iied by Congre»ii, October 
J 8th, directing the di.tcbarge of the araiy : vi' here- 
upon General Washington, before he resigned his 
important charge, delivered the lollowmg elegant 
and pa.tiictic farevvell address-, to the oSkers and 
soldiers, under his command, viz. 

General Wa{hin2:ton"'s farewell Orders^ 

o 

To the Arviies of iJie United States. 

No-^einbcr2, 1783. >. 
THE Vr-ited States in Congress aisembiec, af- 
ter giving.'; tlje most honorable tcstiu.cny to the 
federal amiies, and presenting them with tUo 
thanks of their country, for their long, eminent, 
find faithful services — having ihcught proper, by 
their prociamaticn, bearing diite the 18th ot Octo- 
ber last, to discharge such part of the troops £S 
were engaged for the ^A•ar, and to permit the olii- 
cers on furlough tD retire from service, from and af- 
ter to-morrow, which prcc!ama.lion hiving been 



Ceneral Ge^-r^c fVaslhigfon, 91 

communicated in the public paperi? for tlie infor- 
liia iop. and government of all concerned ; it only 
xe^nains for the caniiia,nd8i in chiel to adiretb him- 
self once more, and th*t for the iait time, to the 
armies of the United State? (^however widely dis- 
persed the individuals who corhpobcd tnera may 
be) and bid them an afiu Jtionate— a long farewell. 
But be'^ore \he commander in chief lakes his 
fin d leave of those he holds most dear, he v/ishes 
to iadu'g^ himself a iew moments in culling to 
miiid a slight review of the past— he wih thea 
tike tae liberty of exploring, with his miliijiry 
friendd, their futorc ^jrospects; of advising ti»e gen- 
e'^al line of conduct which, m liis opinion, o^ght 
to be pursued ; and he will conc'ude tlie addre s, 
by expressing the oorgations he feels himself under 
for the -p li'^ed and u\ U assistance he LaL- experien- 
ced from them, in the perroriiiance of an arduous 

A contemplation of the complete Jittainment, 
at a period earlier than could have been expected, 
of the object for which we con'.eiided. aguinit so 
formidable a power, cannot but ins| ire us with 
a'^onishment and gratitude. The disad vantagtous 
circumstances on our part, under vVhich the v.ar 
was undertaken, can never be forp;ottei . The; in-' 
g'llar inter ^>osit ions of Provider ce, in our ieeble 
condition, were such as could scarce y Escape he 
attention of the most unobseivh^g ; wliile tiie un- 
pa allelied pefheverauce of the aru/ies of t'r.e Uniied" 
States, through aimost every ^o:jSibie suffering and 



9 4 Bhgrc;pKcal Mcmom c/ 

dlFconra;!;ement, for the space of eip^ht long years, 
was little short of a blanding miracle. 

It is not th-^ meu.ning, nor within the compass 
of this address, to detail the hardships peculiarly 
incident to our srrvice, or to doifcribe the distresses, 
which, in several instances, have resulted from the 
extremes of hunger and mikedness, combined with 
the rigors of an inclement season ; nor is it neces- 
sary to dwell on the dark side of onr past aiTuirs. 
Every American oiScer and soldier must now con- 
sole himself for any unpleasant circumstances which 
may have occurred by the recollection of the un- 
common scenes in which he has bf^en called to act 
no inglorious part, and the astonishing events of 
v/hich he has been a witnes? : events Vvhich have 
seldom, if ever b'More, taken place before on the 
stage of human action, nor can they probably ever 
happen again. For, who has before s€cn a niset- 
plined army formed at once from such raw mate- 
rials ? Who that Vv-as not a witness, could ijnagine, 
that the most violent local prejudices would cease 
go soon, and that men who came from the differ- 
ent p?.rt3^9f the continent strongly di-posed, by the 
habits of education, to despise and quarrel with 
each othor, would instantly become bat one pat- 
riotic band of brothers ? or who that v/as not on 
the spot, can trace the step?, by v/hich such a 
wonderful revolution has been effected, and such 
a glorious period put to all onr warlike toils ? 

It is universally acknowledged that the enlarged 
prospects of happiness, opened by the confirmation 



General Ceorye IVashhigiojt, ^ 

of our indepencience and sovereignty, ?Jnno?t exceed 
the power of description : and sbai! not the bnive 
men who have contributed so esicntially to these 
inestimable acquisitiens, retiring victorious irom 
the field of war to the field of agriculture, partici- 
pate in all the blessinj^s which have been obtained ? 
In such a republic, who wiirexclude them from the 
rights of citizens, and the fruits of their labours? 
In suoh a country, so happily eircuir.stanccd, tlie 
pursuits of commerce and the cultivation of the 
soil will unfold to industry the certain road to com- 
petence. To those hardy soldiers, who are actua- 
ted by the spirit of adventure, the fisheries v. iii af- 
ford ample and profitable emiploymeiit ; ar.d the 
extensix'e ai«d fertile regions of the west v. ill yicid^ 
a most happy asyhim to those, who, fond of doi 
nicstic enjoyment, ore seeking for personal inde- 
pendence. Nor is it possible to conceive that any- 
one of the "United States wiil prefer a national 
baillcruptcy, and a dissolution of tlie union, to a 
couDpliance with the rjequi'iitions of Cor grcss and 
tlie payment of its just debts — so that tlie officers 
and soldiers, may expect considerable assistance, in 
recommencinjr their civil occupations, jSin the 
sums due to them from the public, which must and 
\vill most inevitably be paid. 

In ordtr to effect this desirable purpose, and to 
remove the pr judices which may b.ave taken pos- 
session of the mUids of any of llie good people of 
the states, it is earnestly recommended to all the 
troonS; that, with strong nttaohm^at to the tiw^n, 



95 Bkgrcphlcal Memoirs of 

ihey should carry with them into civil society the 
most conoiliiUir g disuositions ; and that they should 
prove theiriselves net less virtuous and iisefjl as 
eitizetis, than they have been persevering and vie- 
tcrlous asi'^oldler3. Wiittt though there should be 
some envious individuals, who are unw iliing to 
pay th.e debt the public has contracted, or to yield 
the tribute due to merit, vet let such unworthy 
treatment produce no invective, or any instance of 
ini'einj>erato conduct— let it be reroenibered, that 
the Unbiassed voice of the free citizens of the Uni- 
ted .%ite3 has promised the just reward, and given 
the merited applause; let it beki'ownand reniem- ; 
bered, that the repjitation of the federal armies is ^ 
established beyond the reach of malevolence, andi 
let a coni>ciousness of their alcliievements and 
fame still incite the men who composed tt^.em, t^ 
honourable a2tio'->s, under the persuasio!"^ that the -■ 
vrtues of economy, prudence, and industry, will! 
not be the ie.s amiable in civil life, than the moroj 
splendid qualities of valour, perseverance and enter— 
priZe, were in the fiekl. Every one may rest as- 
sured that nu.ch, very much, of the future hai^ui- 
ncsb of the orticers and men, will depend upon the 
wiec and manly conduct which shall be adopted 
Vy their, when they are ming'ed with the grf-a^ 
body of the communit)\ And, aithotgh the geni 
cral has so frequently given it as hib o[)inion, ir 
li;e most public and explicit manner, that uidesJ 
the principle? of the federal governrnent were prop 
criy supporled, and the pow ers of the uuion in 



Gcyteral (George WasUn^tDU* 97 

€rea?ed, the honour, dii^nity, and justice of the na- 
tioii would be lost for ever ; yet he cannot help re. 
peating on this occasion so interesting a sentiment, 
and leaving it as his last injunction to every officer 
and soldier, who may view the subject in the same 
serious point of light, to add his best indcavors, to 
those of his worthy fellow citizens, towards er^ec- 
ting these great and ^^aiuabje j^urp es, on which 
our very existence as a nation so malcrially de- 
jpends. 

The commander in chief conceives little is now 
wanting to enab-ethe soldier to chang:e hi? milita* 
tary character into that of the citizt^n, but that 
steady and decent tenor of behaviour, which has 
generally distinguished, not «nly the army under 
his imraedia-te comm.and, but the difierent detacl>- 
snsnts and separate armies, through the coiirLc of 
the war. From their good sense and prudence he 
anticipates the happiest consequrnce-. — and while 
he congratulates them on the glorious occasion 
which renders their services in the field no longer 
necessary, he wisht^s to ex-^ress the strong obiijra- 
tions he feels himse'f under, fur the assistance lie 
has received from every class, and in every in- 
stance, lie presents his thanks in the most seri- 
ous and affectionate manner to the general officers, 
as well for their counsel on many interesting occa- 
sions, as for their ardour in promoting the succeis 
of the plans he had adopted ; to the commandants 
of regiments and corps, and to the other officers, 
for their great zsal and attention in carrying his or- 



03 T^ograpliical Memoirs cf 

dsrs promptly into execution ; to the staff, for their 
alacrity and exactness in performing the dutie:3 of 
their several departments ; and to tlie non-com- 
missioned omcers and private soldiers, for their ex- 
traordinary patience in suffering as well as their 
invincible fortitude in action ; to the various bran- 
ches of the army, the general takes this last and 
solemn opportunity of professing his inviolable at- 
tachment and friendship. He wishes more than 
bare professions were in his power, that he was re- 
ally able to be useful to them all in future lif(?. — 
Hq flatters himself, they will do him thejustice to 
believe, that whatever could with propriety be at- 
tempted by him, has been done. And being now 
to conclude these hi^hst pubhc orders, to take his 
nltimate leave, in a short time, of the military char- 
acter — and to bid a final adieu to the armies he has 
so long had the honour to command— he can on- 
\y again offer, in their behalf, his rccommendatioris 
to their grateful country, and his prayers to the 
God of jcrmies. May ample justice be done them 
here, and may the choicest of Heaven's favors, 
both here and hereafter, attend those, who, under 
the Divine auspices, have secured innumerable 
blessings for others ! With these wishes, and this 
benediction, the commander in chief i> about to re- 
tire from service. The curtain of separation will 
soon be drawn — and the miiitary scene to him will 
be cbs^d for ever, 

i?. ffarjj adj* gin* 



General George Washhgfoju 9^ 

To the preceding address the o.fficcrs of the part 
of the army remaininoj on the banks of th<? Hud- 
son, returned a suitable answer ; they thanked the 
commander in chief for the cominunic!\tion of his 
afieciionate assurances of his inviolable attachment 
and friendship ; they assured his Excellency thsit 
although as yet his endeavours to ensure to the ar- 
mies the just reward of their services, had failed of 
success, they were convinced that it had arisen 
~ from causes which it was not in his power to con- 
trou!, and should Ihe contemplated measi.^re never 
be attained, that their patriotism should still re- 
main unshaken : 1 hey were happy in the oppor- 
tunity of congratulating his Excellency on the cer- 
tJiin conclusion of tlie Defjrihr Tn-nly cf Peace, as- 
suring him, that, relieved at last from long sus- 
pense, their warmest wish was to return to the 
bosom of their country, to resume the character of 
citizens ; and that it should be their highest am- 
bition to become useful ones. To his Exceilercy 
they were convinced that this great event must be 
peeuliarly pleasing; because, while at the head of 
the armies, urged by patriotic virtues and magnanim- 
ity, he persevered, under the pressure of every pos- 
sible dilVicuity and discouragement, in the pursuit 
of the groat objects of the v-ar^the ireedom and 
safety of his country ; — his heart panted for tho 
tranquil erj^ yments of peace. They concluded 
with sincere prayers to God, long to bestow hap- 
piness to their commander, and thai wlien he quits 
the stage of human life, he may receive from the 



let J^'iogrirpfiical lilemoirs of 

uNHuiuNC Jldsiz, the rew^rrls of valour exerted, to 
save the o|)|)ressed, of patriotism and disinterested 
virtue. 

On Iho 25th of November, 1VB3, Ncw-Yo/k 
v/as cvxcualed- by the Britisli ariny ; same day 
the AmerioaM troops marched in, and took posses- 
sioii of tlie city ; after whicli General Washington 
and the governor made their public entry, 'ilie 
'"ar an jment ;:.nd u'hole conduct of tl)e march and 
the tranquility which succeeded it through the 
day and night, was admirah'e ! and the grateful 
citizens, ftciin^ the most affectionate impressions 
from the elegant and enioieijit disposition which 
prevailed tlirou^^h the whole event, on their return- 
ing froin exile, addresnerj his excellency the com- 
iTi.iiider in caiefin behalf of themselves and their 
SUif.rin,^ brettiren, lookiiig up to him with unusual 
joy : they welcomed him to the city, long torn 
from th'vn by the hand of oppression, but which 
by his wisdom, under the gaiJance of Proviiler^ce, 
l|tid again been rendered tlie eat of peace and free- 
dom : i-hey assured him that ti)*}' should preserve, 
to ihc last, tlieir gratitude for liis services and v«n- 
erat on f.>r his character, and required him " to ac- 
cept tluir sincere and earnest withes, that he may 
lo.ig fenj,)y that cairn domestic Alicity, which he 
had so generously sacriticed ; that the cries of in- 
jiiTcd liberty may never more interrupt his repose ; 
and that liis happiness may be equal to his vir- 
tu «/' 

Previous to Gciieral Wabhington's leaving New- 



Yfirl^» on the uth of DeceiTiber, the principal ciii- 
cers of the army tlien in tbe city, as«^€mb!ed at 
Frances' tavern^ to take a final leave of their i!>iis- 
tri(»us and iiDucli-loveu coniiJ»and<;r. Tbe pasdons 
cf human rati:rc vcre never more tenci^rl}' agita. 
tfed than in this intcreiiting scene- Hib Excellency 
havb'g filled a glass of v»jr.e, thus addrebied h;s 
brave lellovv-ioKJeri- : — 

" J' 'itJi a heori full oflcTe cfid grriliudey 1 7:civ fc/:e9 
Ier%(^ cf YM : I iix:.t devoutly iJisli that yuir latitr i^rys 



rnty he ^^fj'percus and ^<'//^> f'* y-nr former c?:cs /i<..%C 
Irm^nl r'lcii^ (\rd haKurc.'Ae.'''* 

The-e words produced extreiric sensibility on 
./;h sides: they were ar>swered by warm expres- 
sions, and ferver;t wis:hes, frcjn the gentlemen of 
the army, uhose truly pathetic feeliisg?, it is not 
in ( ur f ov/er to convey to the reader. Soon after 
this scene was closed, the Governor, the ccuncil 
and citizens of the first dist:nctJon waited on the 
General, ar.d in terms tliC mcjf-t affect ic^rate, took 
their leave — The corps of Light Infantry W33 
drawn up in a ine, and the Cc mmardcr in Chief 
p&JSfd through tl.cm on his way to \\ bite hall, 
V. here he^ emba.rkcd in hie barge- ior i'owles Hook, 
from whence he proceeded to I hiladelphia, where 
**he made a short stay, Kere he delivered to the 
Gomptroller of the public Treasury an account of 
the exj.enditure cf ail the public r/.cney which he v 
had received durij/g the war ; by v. liich it aj pear- ' 
cd, Ihi-.t the whole sum whicli hud gone tljn ugh 
his hands only amounted to fourteen thousand iejur 
I 2 



1 02 Bh^apJiical udeihctrs of 

hundred atid seventy-rr'Jie pounds, eigliteen shil- 
lings and ri/ne-pcnce sterling, about sixty-four thou- 
sa.nd three hundred and vSty dollars, nearly on« 
hundred and fifty dollars per v eek. 

From Pliiladelphia be proceeded to Anriapolig 
where the Congress was then fitting, and having 
cbtiiined leave, he terminated his nrillitary career, 
and resigned his conjinission on the 23d of Decern- 
"ner: upon this occas?ion he delivered the following 
ghort and pathetic address, viz. 

General Walhington's Addrefs 

Tg Congress o?t the R^ygnat'iun of his Commission, 
" Mr. Pkesident, 

*' THE great events, on wbijh my resigna- 
tion depended, having at length taken place, I 
hive now the honour of offering my sincere con- 
gratulations to Congress, and of presenting myself 
before them, to surrender into their iiands the trust 
Conmitted to me, and to claim the indulgence of 
retiring: from the service of my coimtry. 

" Ha})py in tlie condrmation of our indepf n- 
^ence and sovereignty, and pleased with the op* 
pnrtunity aiTorded the United States of becoming 41 
ti respctubie nation — 1 resign, with batisfacnon the 
Dopointmrnt I acrepted with diffidence, a dithdence 
in my abiirjes to accompMsh so arduous a task, 
which, howevt^r, *« as ^-ui^erceded by a confideijce 
in'the rectitude of our cau^e, the support of the su* 



General Georgi WcthhigiQn^ I0& 

preme power of the union, and the patronage of 
tieavcn. 

" The successful termination of the war has 
v^erined the most sanguine expectations ; and my 
gratitude for the interposition of Providence. andL 
the assistance I have received from my country- 
men, increases with every review of the momen* 
tous con^^est. 

" While I repeat my obligations to the army in 
general, I should do injustice to m}'own feelii.gs 
not to acknowledge, in this place, the peculiar ser- 
vices and distinguished meritb of the gentlen en 
who have been attached to my person durirg the 
war. It was impossible the choice of confidential 
oilicers to compose my family should be more for- 
tunate; permit me, sir, to reconiinend in particu- 
lar those who have continued in the service to the 
present moment, as worthy the favourable notice 
and patronage of Congrecs. 

* I consider it as &n indispensable duty to close 
this last solen:n act of my official life, by comm.en- 
ding the interests of our dearest country to the 
protection of Almighty God, and tho^e who have 
the suuerinteiidaiice of them to his holy keeping. 

'* Having now fuiibhcd the work a signed me, 
r retire from thd^great theatre of action ; and bid^ 
ding an affectionate farewell to this august body, 
under whose orders 1 have so long acted, I here of- 
fer my com.mission, and t?.ke my leave of all the 
employments of public life. 

G. W.A^iiiKCTPN.'^- 

C'ify ofAnno^dls, Dec 23; I T83. 



jyt Blo^rapincaJ Memoirs of 

Anfwer of Congrefs- 

« Sir, 

" THE United States In Con gross assemble:!, 
rec-jive, with emotions t"*© affecting for utterance, 
the solemn resignation of the authoriciej unJer 
which you h?vve !ei their troops with success, 
through a perilous and doubt fal war. 

" Called upon by j^oiir country to defend its in- 
vaded rights, yon accepted the sacred charge before 
it had formed alliances, and whilst it was with- 
out funds or a government to support yoi!. 

" You have conducted the great military con- 
*eft with M Isdom and fortitude, invariably regard- 
ing the rights of the civil power, thro'.igh all disas- 
ters and changes ; you I'.ave, by the Jove and con- 
ildenne of your feilovi^-citizens, enabled them to dis- 
play their martial genius, and transmit their famd 
to posterity ; yen have persevered, tdlthes-e Uni- 
ted States, aided by a magnanimous king and na- 
lion, have been enabled under a just Providence, to 
close the war in freedom, safety and independence ; 
>^n which happy event, we sincerely join you in 
congratu'at ions. 

" Having defender"! the standard of liberty In 
this new world — iiaving taught a Jesson useful to 
those who inflict, and to those who feel oppression 
-^ — you retire from the great thratre of action, withv 
the blesifings of your feiJow-citizens ; but the glory] 
of your virtues will not terminate with your mili-J 
tary command 5 it will continue to animate remo-1 



General Ceorge Wnsfitfigtm. 105 

est a^e?. We feel, with 3'on, our obligations to 
he army in general, and will particula ly charge 
)urbelve6 with the interests of those confidentitil 
)illcer.>, wlio have attended your person to this af- 
ecting moir.ent. , 

" We join you in commending the interests of 
)ur dearest country to the protection of A i mighty- 
Sod, beseeching him to dii^pose the hearts and 
ninds of its citizens to improve the oppori unity 
iIFoided them of becomirg a happy and respccta- 
ple .lation ; and for you, we address to him our 
jarnest prayers, that a life so beloved may be fos- 
tered with all his care ; tha=: your days may be 

appy as ihey have been illustrious ; and ihai he 
will fmrlly give you that reward which this world 

aimot give." 

—■ --" ?' .- ' -f-.- f' - ■ - ■ 

^ With these becoming sentiments. General Wash- 
ing on retired from the toils ef wjir to eiijoy in pri- 
vate the rurcil pleasures of Mount Vtrnon, carrying 
with him the thanks and biessings of a gratelui 
pei^plo. emulating the example of the virtuous Ro- 
man Genera!,* who, victorioub'.Jeft the tented field. 
Dove ed with honor, and withdrew fron. puMic life. 
No p'.rson, vvho had not the advantage of being 
pre ent when he receive! the intelligence of peace, 
and who did not accompany him to his domestic 
retirement, can describe the reliet which that joy- 
ful event brought to his laboiiring mind, or the su- 
preme satifcfaction wiJi which he withdrev/ to 

* Cinciiinatus, 



l06 • B'lCgYcipVtcal Memoir X cf 

private life. From hi? triumphal entrj' into New- 
York, upon the evacuaticn of that city by the 
British army, to hi? arrival at Mount Vernon, aR^ 
the re?i, ^nation of his commission to Conpirers, hs- 
tive crowds impeled his pa^fa£;e through ail the 
populous towns : the devotion of the whole peo4)le 
pursued him, with prayers to Hsaven for blessings 
on his head, \^hlle their gratitude sought the most 
expressive language of manifesting itself to hira 
as their common father and benefactor. When he 
oecameaprivatecitizeil hehadthe unusual felicity to 
fmd that his native state was among the most zeal- 
ous in doing justice to his merits ; and that stronger 
demonstrations of afiectlonate esteem (if possible) 
"were given by the citizens of his neighbourhood, 
than by any other description of men on the con- 
tinent. As he always refused to accept of any pe- 
cuniary compensation for his public services, or 
^provision for the augmented expenses which he 
•must have incurred in consequence of his public 
employment, no salary vv^as ever annexed by Con^ 
gress to his important command, and he only drew 
weekly for the ext»enses of his public table and 
other neceisnry demands, although proposals have! 
been made in the most delicate manner, particular- j 
1y by the states of Virginia and Pennsylvania.! 
Kis conduct in this particular is noble and mng-j 
fianimous, and exhibits to the world an undeniablej 
evidence of self disinterestedness, of the purity off 
liis motives and integrity of his heart. His an- 
swer to the Governor of Virginia, declining the ac- 



General George U'\is'h\ngfon, ' 107 

eeptance of a present from that state, is so charac- 
teristic of his whole public conduct, that we ar® 
induced to give it in his own words, and we are 
convinced it will prove acceptable to his admirers. 

From his Excellency General Wa^hington^ i!^ 
the Governor of Virginia^ declvurig- the ac- 
ceptance ofjifty shares in the conipa 'lies for 
cpming the navig^ation of James and PotO' 
Tiiac rivers^ xvh'ich had been vested in him by- 
act cfthe Legislature of that commomvealthy 
as a small acknowledgment of his merits and 
services. 

*' Your Excellency having "been pleased to trans^ 
mit to ms a copy of the act appropriating to my 
benefit, certain shares in the companies for opening 
the navigation of James and Potomac rivers, I take 
the liberty of returning to the assembly, through 
your hands, the profound and grateful aoknov/ledg- 
mcnts, inspired by so signal a mark of their benef- 
icent intentions towards me. I beg you, sir, to 
assure them, that I am filled on this occasion with 
every sentiment which can flow from a heart, 
warm with love for my country — sensible to eve- 
ry token of its approbation and affection, and so- 
licitous to testify, in every instance, a respectful 
submission to its wishes. With these sentiments 
in my bosom; 1 need not dweli on the anxiety 1 



1 OS B'lOgrctplizcdl Menicm of 

feel, in being obliged in this instance to decline a 
favor, which is rendered no less fidttering by the 
manner in which it is conveyed, than it is afTecJ 
tionate in itself. In explaining this obligation, I 
pass over a comparison of my endeavors in the pnb- 
iic service, with the many honourable testimonies 
of approbation which have already so far over rat- 
xed and over-paid them— reciting one consideration 
only, which supercedes the necessity of recurring 
to every other. Wlien I was first called to the 
station with which I was honoured during the late 
conflict for our liberties ; to the diffidence which I 
had so many reasons to feel in accepting it, I 
thought it my duty to join a fir^t resoluuon to 

S!!UT MY HAND AGAINST EVTZRY PECUMARY RSCO?.:- 

PEACE. To this resolution I have inviolably adher- 
ed • an 1 from this resolution (if I had the inclinci- 
tion"! 1 do not consider myself at liberty to depart. 
"Whilst I repeat, therefore, my fervent acknowledg- 
ments to the legislature for tl eir very kind senti- 
ments and intentions in my favour, and at the 
sar".e time beg them to be persuaded that arrsmem- 
'brance of this singular proof of goodness toward? 
me, will nevei* cease to cherish returns of the 
•warmest affection and gratitude; I must pray that 
their act, so far as it has for its object my personal 
emolument, may not; have its effect. But if it 
should please the general assembly to permit me to 
turn the Heotination of the fund vested in r< e ^rr>m 
my private emolument to objects of a pub l atiufi 
itr will be my btudy, in bei«cting these, lo j^rove 



GtmYolGe rgc Waihhi^on, lO^ 

the sincerity of my gratitude, by preferring; such as 
may appear most subservient to the enlighteiitd 
mid patriotic views of the legislature. 
1 am, &c. 

George Washi^;gt«n.'* 

Upon this request, the legislature of Virginia 
repealed so much of the act referred to as related 
to the ves^ng the above mentioned shares in Gen- 
e.*'al Washington and heirc, and enaeted that the 
shares and profits accruing therefrom, should stand 
appropriated to such objects of a public nature as 
his SxceHency should direct and appoint. Some- 
time afterwards. General Washington applied these 
shares of the canal company to the ereotion and es- 
tablishrrient of two seminaries of learnii';g in Vir» 
ginia, which were accomplished under his imme- 
diate direction. 

Although the enlarged mind of General \Va .h- 
ington felt superior to such considerations, and no- 
bly refused any recompence for himself, yet he el- 
oquently, though unsuccessfully, pleaded the ca.use 
of his fellovv-soldiers, and other public creditors. 
He considered himself as pledged to the army that 
their country would do them am{)lc justice, in ie- 
warding them for their glorious services, exercised 
in its defence, and finally crowned by tbe complete 
establislmiciit of its liberty and independence. He 
could foresee the evils V'/hich were to follow if a 
regular and efiioieiit revenue system was not pur- 
sued: — To ef/cct thet.e ])!rposes, and to inculuate 
tke ncccL-sity o!' i../k;-m ^i.ticej subordination, and 
K 



1 1 BugrfUcoI Memoirs of 

of such principles an'5 pr-ctices as the new sltua= 
tiori of his country required, he published his part- 
jnoj advice to his countrymen in the foilowij g el- 
oquent circular letter, i^ddressed to the governors qf 
the individual states, viz. 

A CIRCULAR LETTER 

From hi-H Exccilcncij General Gtforge Wnshhi^^'-. 
ton^ Conimander in ChirJ of the Annies of 
the United Stales of America^ to the Gover^ 
7iors gJ^ the several Stales, 

Sm, 

THE great object for which! had tl.e honor 
to hold an appoii:tn.ent in the service of my coun- 
try, being uccomplibhed, 1 am now preparing to re- 
sign it into the hand; of Congress, and return to 
that domestic retirement, which, it is well known, 
I left with the ^ reate^^t reluctance ; a retirement 
for whicli 1 have never ceased to sigh through a 
long and painful absence, in v^.'hich (remote from 
the noise ai;d tlouble of the world) J meditate to 
pa'^s the remainder of life in a state of undisturbed 
repose : but, before T carry this re^■olution into ef- 
fect, I th nk it a duty incumbent on me to m.:.ke 
tliis my last official conimimication, to ci/ngratu- 
jate you on H\c glorious events which Heaven has 
been pleased to produce in our favor, to offer my 
sentiments respecting some important subjects, 
which Jtppear to me to be intimatelj' connected 
y/]'h the tranqu'llity of the United States, to take 
my ie&ve of ycur Exceilencj' a^; h public character^ 



Oeneral George W asKinghn; 111 

ihd to give my final blessing to that country in 
whose service I have !?pent the prime of ny life ; 
for whose sake I have consumed so many anxious 
days and watchful rights : and whose happiness, 
being extremely dear to me, will always con^^titute 
no inconsiderable part of my own. 

Impressed with the liveliest sensibility on this 
pleasing occasion^ I will ckim the irdu'gence of di- 
lating the more copiousl)' on the sul^ect of «nur mu- 
tual felicitatiorii When we consider the magni- 
* ude of the pri:ie we contended for. the doub^'fal 
nature of the contest, and the favourable manner 
in which it has terminated ; we shall lind the 
greatest possible reason for gratintdeand rejoicing : 
this IS a liieme that wid air^rd i.^fmite delight to 
every benevolent and liberul mi)'d, v/hether the 
event in contemplation be considered as a tource of 
present enjoyment, or the parent of future happi- 
ness ; and we sha'l have eqtsal occasion to ft; ci- 
tate ourselves on the lot which Providehce has as- 
signed us, whether we view it in a iiatural, a po- 
litical, or moral point of view. 

The citizens of America, placed in the most en- 
viable condition, as the soie lords ami proprietors 
of a vast tract of contixient. comprehendij g .11 the 
various soils and climates of the worH, and ab( nn- 
l ding with all the necessaries and cor>venieiiC;es of 
"lile, are now, by the late satisfactory pacification, 
acknowledged to be possessed of absolute fr^-edom 
and independency ; they are from this period to be 
cor)->idered as the actors on a most conspicuous the- 
atre, which seems to be peculiarly designed bjr 



112 B'ograpJi'cul Jllctno'iys of 

rrovidcnce for the d]3[uay of Iinman great^iess and 
feilc'ty ; here the}-- are not only surrounded with 
every thlrp; th'-.t cm contribute to the completion 
of private and (Joraestic enjoyment, but Heaven 
has crov.ned a'l its other blessings^, b}' giving a 
surer opportunity for political happiness than any 
other nation has ever been favored with. N*-Jhing 
can illustrate these observations more forcibly than 
the recollection of the happy conjuncture of tinfies 
and circyinstances, under which our Republic ar^, 
Svimed itis rank among the nations. The founda- 
tion of our empire was not laid in a gloomy age of 
ignorance and superstition, but at an epocha when 
the rights o^f mankind were bettter understood and 
more clearly defined, than at any former period : 
TCbearches of the human mind after social happi- 
nens have been carried to a great extent : the treas- 
ures of knowledge acquired by the labours of phi- 
losophers, sages and legislators, through a long suc- 
cession of years, are laid open for use, and their coK 
looted wisdom may be happily applied in the es- 
tablishment of our forms of government : the free 
orltivation of letters, the unbounded extension of 
commerce, the progressive refinem.ent of manner?, 
the growing liberality of sentiment, and above ail, 
the pure and benign light of revelation, have had a 
meliorating influence on mankind, and increased 
the blessings of society. At this auspicious period 
the United Staler came into existence as a nation, 
and if her citizens should not be completely free and 
ha]>py, the fault will be entirely their own. 

Such is our situation, and such are our pros*-? 



Qenefal Ceorge tP'asUngton* 113 

^ects : but notwithstanding the cup of blessing is 
thus reached out to us — notwithstandiiig happinebS 
IS ours, if we have a disposition to seize the occa- 
sion, and make it our own ; yet il: appears to me, 
there is an option still left to the Uniied Ptatee of 
Annerica, whether they will be res}>ectaMe and 
prosperous, or contemptible and miserable as a na- 
tion. This is the tin->e of their political probation ; 
this is the moment, v, hen the eyes of the world 
are turned upo); them ; this i^ the tiry:eto estcbiisb 
or ruin their natonal character fdrevet ; tliis is the 
favourable momtnt to give such a tone vo the Fed- 
eral Government, as will enable it to answer the 
en«'s of its institution ; or this may be the iibfated 
moment for relaxing the powers of the Union, p. n- 
nihilating the cement of the Confederation, V!.tA ex- 
po-;ing M? to become the sport of EurOpea!' politics, 
which may plav one Sta^e against anotlier. to pre* 
vent their growing importance, and to serve their 
own interes-ed purposes. For, accacding to the 
system of policy the States shall adopt at this m.o^ 
ment, they will stand or fall ; and. by their Con- 
firmation Or lapse, it is yet to be decided, whether 
the revolntion must ultimately be considered as a 
ble-sin;^ cr a curse, a blessing or a curse, not 1o tlie 
present ap;e alone, for with our fate will the desti- 
ny of unborn millions be involved. 

With this conviction of the importance of the 
present crisis, silence in VL\t v/ould be a crime. I 
will therefore speak to your Excellency the lan- 
guage of freedom and sinc'^rity, without disguise; 
I am aware, however, thosQ who differ frona me 
K 2 



114 BhgynfJdcul Memoirs of 

in political senliments, rmay perhaps remark I am 
stepuing out of the proper line of my duty ; ai'4 
th<;7 may po'^sibly ascribe to arro3;aiice or ostenta- 
tion, what I know is the result of t}ie purest in- 
trntion ; but .the rectitude of my own heart, whiofi 
tl's-^aind such unworthy motives — the part I liave 
hitherto acted in Hfe^ — the determination I i^ave., 
formed of not taking any share in public business 
hereafter— the ardei'it desire I feel and shall eon- 
tinue to manifest, of quietly enjoying in pr)v;vre 
life, after all the KOib of war, the beneliis cf a wif-e 
and liberal government — will, 1 flutter myself, 
sooner or later, convince my countrymen, that I 
CGuM have no sinister views in deliverivg, with ?o 
liliie reiierve, the opiniors contained i:i this Ad- 
dress. 

There arv^ fonr things v/hich I hnmoly conceive 
a!'e essential to the we! I- beings, I may even venture 
to say to the existence of the United States, a^; an. 
iudependcnt power. 

lot. An iridis-b'oIuWe union of the states nnder 
OiiC federal bead. 

2d]y. A sacred regard to piihl'c JL;sticc. 

3diy. The adoption of ?. prop-:! peace establish- 
ment. And, 

4thH'. The prevalence cf tbt-it paclfio and friend- 
ly disposition amf>ng the people of the United 
States, which vvili ir;<iuce them to forget their lo- 
cal ,jrejudices and policies, to make those mutual 
concessions which are requisite to the general pros- 
rent^ , and; in S:o;iie instances, to sacrifice their m-f 



General George IVashhigion. 1 1 5 

dividual advantages to the interest of the commu- 
nity. 

These 5 re the pillars on which the glorious fab- 
ric of our independency and national character 
must be supported. Liberty is the ba^ris, and who- 
e\ er would dare to sap the foiindatiou. er over- 
turn the structure, under whatever specious pre- 
text he may attempt it, v/ii! merit the bitterest ex- 
ecration und the severest punishment which can be 
iiiilicted by his injured country. 

On the throe lirst articles 1 v.4]! make a fevv ob- 
servations, leaving the last to. the Pood sense and 
serious consideration of those immediately concern- 
ed. 

Under the first head, althongli It may not be 
necessary or jjropcr for me, in tais pkce, to enter 
into a particn'ar di^r'^uisition of the principles of the 
union, and to take up the great question which 
has been frequently sgitated, whether it be expe- 
dient and requisite for the states to delegate a large 
proportion of power to Congress, or not ; yet it 
'Mill bo a part of my d; ty, and that of every true 
patriot, to assert, m iTliont reserve, and to insist up- 
Qn the following positions, "hat nn!e:s the states 
will snlTer Congress to f!xerc";-e th'^se prerogatives 
they are imdoubtedly iiivcsted with by the con- 
stitution, every thing must very rapidi)' tend to 
anarchy and coiifnsion, — That it is indispensible 
to the happiness of the individual states, that there 
shotild be lodged, somewhere, a supreme power, to 
Tcriilate and govern the general concerns of the 

.. federated, republic, without wluch the umo« 



116 ^icgrapJiical Memom «f 

cannot be of long duration. — That there must be 
a faithful and pointed compliance on the part of 
every state, with the late proposals and demands 
of Congress, or the moiit fatal consequences will 
ensue.--»-That whatever measures have a tendency 
to dissolve the union, or contribute to violate or 
lessen the sovereign authority, ought to be consid- 
ered as hostile to the liberty and independency of 
America, and the authors of them treated accor- 
dingly. — ^r;d lastly, that unless we can be ena- 
bled by the concufrenceof the State? to participate 
of the fruits of the revolution, and enjoy the essen- 
tial benefits of civil societ^ , under a form of gov- 
ernment so free and uncorrupted, so haj.pity guard- 
«»d against the danger of oppression, as ha-' bten 
devised and ado:)ted by the articles of confedera-- 
tion, it will be a subject of regret, that so much 
blofxl and treasure have been lavished for no })ur- 
pose ; that so many sulferings have been encoun- 
tered without a compensation, and that so many 
sacrifices have been m.ade in vain. Many other 
considerations might here be adduced to prove, 
that without an entire conformity to the spirit of 
the Union, we car . -t exist as an independent 
power. It will be sufficient for m} purpose to 
mention but one or two, which seem to m.e of the 
greatest importance. It is only in our united 
character, as an empire, thai; our independence is 
acknowledged that our power can be regarded, or 
our credit supported among foreign nations. The 
treaties of the b'uropean powers with the United, 
States of America, will have no validity on the 



Ceneml Getrge ir^chwgion, 117 

<iisso]uticn of the Union. We ^hall be left nearly 
in a state of nature ; or wc may (ir.d, by our own 
unhappy experience, *h?.t there is a natural and 
recesi-ary ])rogrei^sion from t ae extreme of anarchy 
to the extreme of tyranny ; ani that arbitrary 
power i« most ea-^iiy etfablishcd on the ruins of lib- 
erty abused to licentiousness. 

As to the second article, which respects the 
performance of public justice, Congress have, in 
their lute Address to the United States, almost ex- 
hausted the subject; they have explained their 
ideas so fully, and have enforced the obligation? 
the States are under to render complete justice to 
all the public creditor?, with so much dignity and 
energy, that in my opinion, no real friend to the 
honour and independency of America can hesitcits 
a single nionient respegtinf^ tlie propriety of com- 
plying with the just and horcrahle measures pro- 
posed. If their arguments do not produce convic- 
tion, I know of nothing that will have greater in- 
fluence, especially when we rfflect that the sys- 
tem referred to, being the result of the collected 
wisdom of the continent, must be esteemed, if not 
perfect, certainly the least objectionable of any that 
could be devised ; and that, if it should not be car- 
ried into immedia'.e execution, a national bank- 
ruptcy, with all V.s deplorable consequences, v/ill 
take place, before any different plan can possibly 
be proposed or adopted ; so pressing are the pres- 
seni circumstances, and such is the alternative now 
peered to the States. 

The ability of the country to discharge th?) 



lid BhgYapUcal Memoirs of 

debts which have been incurred in it? defence, is 
not to he doubted. An inclination, 1 flatter my- 
self, will not be wanting ; the path of our duty is 
plain before us ; honesty will be found, on every 
experiment, to be the best and only true policy. 
Let us then, as a nation, be just ; let us fulfil thd 
public contracts which Congress had undoubtedly 
a right to make for the purpose of carryifigon the 
war, with the same good faith we suppose our- 
selves bound to perform our private engagements. 
In the mean time let an attention to the cheerful 
performance of their proper business, as individuals^ 
and as members of society, be earnestly inculcated 
on the citizens of America ; then will they strengh- 
en the bands of government- and be happy under 
its protection. Kyery one viH reap the fruit of 
his labours ; every ' ne will enjoy hi? ovv^n acqui- 
sitions, without molestation and without danger. 
In this state of absolute freedom and perfect se- 
curity, vt'ho wll grudge to yield a very little of 
. h*> property to suj-'port the common interests of 
so.^'ety, and ensure the protection of government ? 
W'"!o does not remember the frequent declarations 
at the com nencement of the war, that we should 
be com.pletely satibfied, if at the expence of oneJ 
half, we couli defend the remainder of our posses- 
sions ■* Where is the man to be found, who v idl- 
es to remain indebted for the defence of his own 
pcroon and proper^^y to the exertions, the bravery, 
and the blood of others, without making one gen- 
erous effort to pay the debt of honoui and of grat- 
itude I In what part of the continent shall w€ find 



Gener.-I George IVashlmton* 119 

fLny man, or body of jnen, who would not blush 
to stand up, and propose measures purposely cal- 
culated to rob the soldier of his stipend, and the 
pubiio creditor of his due? And were it possible 
that such a flagrant instance of injustice could ev- 
er happen, would it not excite the general iiidig- 
Bation and tend to bring down, upon the authors 
of such measures, the aggravated vengeance of 
Heaven ? If after all, a spirit of disunion, or a tem- 
per of ob'-tinacy and perverseness should manifest 
itself in any of the states ; if such an ungracious 
disposition should attempt to frustrate- all the hap- 
py effects that mu^ht be expect d to flow ivom the 
union ; if there ih. :;ld be a reiusai to comply with 
the requisltioiis for funds to discharge the annual 
interest of the public debts, and if that refusal 
should revive all tho^'e jealousies, and produce nil 
those evils which are now happily removcJ — 
Congress, who have, in all their transactiotis, 
£!)ev/n a great degree of magnanimity and jn;tice, 
will stand ju.'^tified in the sight of C^od and man ! 
And that state alone, wiiich puts itself m opposi-.' 
tion to the aggregate wisdom of the; continent, 
^nd follows such mistaken and pernicious ccun>cls, 
will be responsible lor all the consequeices. 

For my own part, coi scious of having acted, 
while a servant of the public, in the manner I con- 
ceived best suited to promote the real interests of 
my country ; having, in consequence of my fixed 
belief, in some me-.;b:ure, plc<;lged m^^self to the ar- 
my, that their country vvould finally do them ccm- 
|>iete and ample justice^ and not willing to conceal 



i20 Blcgraffnccl Mmmn (][ 

any instance of my official conduct from the eyeS 
cF the world, I have thtxight proper to transmit to 
your Excellency the enclosed collection of papers, 
relative to the half pay and commutation granted 
hy Congress to the oiTjcers of the army : from tliese 
communications, VAy decided sentiment wU be 
clearly comprehended, together with the conclu- 
sive reasons, which induced me, at an early period, 
to recommend the adoption of this measure in the 
most earneist and serious manner. As the procee- 
dings of Congress, the army, and myself, are open 
to all, and cOiitain, in my opinion, sufficient in- 
formation to remove the prejudice and errors which 
may have been entertained by any, I think it un- 
necessary to say any thing more, than just to cb- 
iierve, that the resolutions of Coiigress, now alluded 
to, are as undoubtediy and absolutely binding upon 
the United States, as the most solemn acts of con- 
federation or legislation. 

As to the idea, which, I am informed, has, in 
Lome mbtances prevailed, that the half-pay and 
commutation are to be regitrded merely id the o- 
dlcus li<_iht of a pension, it ought to be e?^ploded 
forever: that proviolon should be viewed, as it re- 
ally v.as, a reasonable compeiisation offered by 
Congress, at a time when they had nothing else to 
^we to officers of the army, for services then to be 
performed : it was the only means to prevent a 
lota' derileetion of the services; it was a part of 
their hire. I may be allowed to say, it was the 
vrice of (!ie;r blood, and of } our independency ; it 
i - tl;c: ■ 1 u:a; a 'common debt, it is a debt 



Ceneral George IVaiKwgfon, ! 2 1 

«f hc^onr; it can never tte conriderpcl as a pension 
or g'iitui'y, nor cancelled until it is fairly disciiar- 

With regard to the distii^ctioi^ between ollicers 
und soldiers it is HufficifJit that the luiiforin exj'e. 
rience of every nitlon of the world, combined with 
onr own, proves the utility ard propriety of the 
discrimination. T cwards, in proportion to the aid 
the public draws from them, are iinquosiionubly 
^ue to dl its servants. In some liyes the toiuiers 
have, {'erhaps, generally, had as ample coraperiSa- 
tion for ihcir services, by the large bounties which 
have been paid them, as their officers will receive 
in ti^e proposed commutation ,' in others, if besides 
Xhi donation of land, the payment of arrearages of 
clothing and wag< s (in which articles all the com- 
ponent, jiarts of the army must be put upon tlie 
f?.Vi:',e footing) we take into the estimate, the boun- 
ties many of the soluiers liave received, and the 
g'n.tuity of one year^ full pa3% which is promifced 
t;! ail, possib.y tlu^r situation (every ciicumstance 
being duly considered) will net be deemed h^s eli- 
gible than that of the ofiiccrs. 

Should a fcirclier leward, however, be judged 
equitable, I vvill venture to assert, no man will ei-i- 
je.y greater tati^faction than n^vL-eir; \i) .ui exemp- 
tiof, hoivi taxes lor a hmited time (which has been 
petitioned ?cr in son:e instances) or any other ade- 
q iiite immnu'ty or e(^ni[>enbatio!i granted to the 
brave dei'enders of tJ.iGV co.rit; v's ccuue ; but nei- 
IJier the adoption or r^jec'iiun of this projOfii.on 
\*u\j in ^ny mj*nncr lilleel, much icbo Uiihiwiv; a- 



122 Bhgrap7ufal Memnn cf 

gainst the act of Cono-ress, by which Mioy have of 
fered five vears full pay, m Ten of the halt-p-iv'io- 
life, which had been before promised to tbeouLierc^r 
of the urmy. • 

Before 1 conclude the subject on public j'-!stice, 

I cannot omit to raenfcioj! ihe obligation:-; this 
country is under to that lyjeritorious class of vete, 
rans, the no i cominissionei' oiricers and privates, 
who have been discharged for inabilltv, in coi. se- 
quence of the resoiutioij of Conj;re.-s, of the •23d of 
April, 17S2, on an ar.riual pension for !i e. Their 
peculiar suiTerings, their shiguiar merits and olanns 
to that provisio'^ nf^e<i oniy to be known, to uiteN 
«st the feelings of humanity in their behalf. No- 
thing but a pimctnal payment of their annual al- 
io' vance can rescue them from the most compli-{ 
cated uusery ; and nothing could be a more mel- 
aiicholy and distressing s'gnt, than to behold those 
wiio have shed their blood, or lost their limbs in^' 
the service of tlieir conn.trv, without a shelter,, 
V. tiiou^ a fiierd. and without the means of ob- 
ta ring anv of the com.forts or neceesaries of life, 
Cv'iiijK-lled to beg their daily bread from door to 
do r. Suffer me to recommend those of this des- 
crMjfii'n beioncring to your state, to the v.armest 
fatro]-Rge of your Excellency and vour legislature. 

It h necei<?ar\ to say but a few words on t!>« 
third topic sjhich was proposed, and which re^ 
gards particularly the defence of tlie republic. A? 

II ere can be little d(.ubt but Congress wiH reccm 
XitrA u pr<~;.er i eace er:tabii>hmert /or the Unite* 
i!>taieK, in which a tue attention will be paid tr 



Cfmr-I George Washington* 123 

iV-e Im-^or-ance of placing the militia of the union 
,np-n y n^;in]Iar arid re* pectab e footing; if this 
sho'.'lii be the case, i sho-nd beg leave to urge the 
grr-jt adv-^ptage of it iii tlie ;-troi)gest terms. 

The mi'itia o! thi^. couDtry must be considered 
^s the 'ja! aJi'.-m of our eecurity, and ihe first effrc- 
tua I report in casebf hosi:i/ity : it is essential, there- 
fore, that t!ie same system shoidd pervade the 
V'h^le; tlui'-. Hie formatloiv and disei|)Iine of the 
m':;tiu o' The coiiti; ent should be ab'-oiuttiy \r.i- 
fo;m : and tliat tlie ^:.nie j-pecie« ol arnu, aceobfre- 
mcf-jt-, and irdhtary appi'.riuTus, should be iirrosiu- 
ced in every part of the Uidted i)tate:?. No oii^, 
who hus rot learned it fr^m experiei ce, can con- 
Cesve the dif^lcolty. expense, ai\c contiiiijoh wihch 
rejiiit from a contrary system, or the vague ar- 
rargrp.ents vhich have hitherto pre', ailed. 

if, in treating of political pom's, a greater lati- 
tude than usiral has been taken in lie coun-e of the 
Addu'.-s, the importance of the crisi^' una the n.^.g- 
nili'de of the objects in d"s'^nsi-ior,, i. Uit b- n ; t^^ 
pol<.t(';y : It is however, r-s iti.rr ay v -oh i.cr ex- 
pect at ioft, that the prece'i'-io ob^c^rvatiOiis shoidd 
claii/) any regard, exr-cpt so iai as they 'shall sp- 
-pea'r to be dietattd by a good intenvlon r cor:Sonant 
to the imniulabie ru'es of justice ; calculated t© 
produce a liberal system of policy, and fourded on 
W'haUver experieiice may have bceii acquired b\' a 
long and close attention to pubhc business. Here 
1 jti'ght speak with more conhueiKe, >om my ac- 
ti al observati-.i.i. ; a!)d if it w.-viid not swell this 
kiler ;^aiready too prolix) beyond the bounds i 



17 h B'c^rop^vc^l Memv'fs of 

\\:v\ prescribed to m-'self, I couV! demonr^tmteto rv« 
cry mind, open to conviction, that in ioss linie* 
and with muoh less expenfe than has heen Incur- 
red, the 'vv:.r '-.:i:;;it have b.? -rt brought to the ?ame 
Iinpj)7 conuitiSMon, if the re;-«our-;cs of the contu^ent 
conM have been properly ealled ; ir; h ; that the dis- 
tresses and disappointment- whicli havp verv often 
occurred, have, in tjo many in^tanees. resulted 
more from a want o-" energy in t lie continental 
g ?vernment, tl-an a denc'ency of mQ?.i\i^ inlhe par- 
ticular States : That the ineincacy o'^ the .Tiea>:-ures, 
arising from the want of an adeq'iale auJ-horlty in 
tile viipreme power, from a partia! compiianee u^ith 
the requisitions of Congrtr.is in some of the States, 
and from a failure '>f punctnaiitf in others, while 
they tended to damp the zeal cf tnone who wera 
more willing to exert themselves, served also to ae- 
cunu'ate the expenses of the war. agd to frr.strate 
the best concerned plans ; anl that the discourage. 
meiit occasione..i by the Gompl'jated difficuities and 
embarrassments, in v/hich oar alTiiirs we-e byMthisf 
means involved, would have long ago<».rodiJcei 
tile dis:5olution of any army, less patieijtt less vir- 
tuous, and le-s persevering than that w-hich I hav«^ 
hiid the honour to commaad. But vvliile I me-i- 
tion those things, which are notonons fae- s, as t « 
defects of our Federal Constitution, particularly ia 
tlie prosecution of a war, I beg it may be under- 
stood, .hat as I have ever taken a pleasure in grate- 
fully acknowledv;ing the assistance an<l suppor: I 
have derived from e^ «^y cla'^s of citizens ; to sliall 
J always be happy to do justice to tiie uaparfaiiti. 



General George IVashlr.gfon, 1 25 

el exertions of the individual States, on many in- 
tereitiJig occasions. 

I have thus freely disclosed what T wished to 
make known before I surrendered up my public 
triiot to those who comniitted it to me : The task 
js now acconnplisheH. I now bid adieu to your 
Kxcellency, as the Chief Magistrate of your btate; 
r.t the same ti'iio ' bid a last farewell to the cares 
of otfije, and all tlie .employments of public life. 

It rciTiains, then to be iny fir.al and only reques^t, 
th;\t your Exceiiency will communicate these sen- 
tin.erits to your !eg;i3ls.ture, at their next meeting ; 
and tliLtt they may be considered as the legacy of 
one wiio has ardently wished, on all occasions, to 
be I: \- nl to his country, and who, evei^ in the 
<^V, ' .. :"rerr!ent. \\\\\ not fail to implore the Di- 

V;;:^ ;- :;.c .; iion UpOH it. 

1 nov>' nvA)<.f: it my earnest prayer, that God 
would lune you, and the 'tale over which vou 
preskie. in his holy protection ; that he would in- 
cf'rje the hfarts of tlie citizens to cultivate a spirit 
of subor.lii.al.ion and oberlience^to jiovernment ; to 
entertain a bro herly aflection and love for one an- 
Giber, for their fellow-citizcns- of the United States 
at Iar2;e ; and particularly for their brethren who 
have served in the lie'd •, and finM'iy, that he would 
DKvst. graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do 
j.stice, to '-love mercy, and to demean ourselves 
wilIi that charity, hiunility, and pacific temper of 
the mind. Vv'h'ch were the characteristics of the 
Pivine author of our blessed religion ; without an 
L 2 



123 Bhgrjpk'h-al Memoirs cf 

humole imibtion of whose exainple hi these thirj 
we can never hops to be a happy riation. 

I !iave the honour to be, with much erteeiii aii^* 
respect, !SIr, your Excellenoy's most obedient, and 
most huiTibie tervant, 

G. Washington. 



General Waslilngton havin;;* re^iicd from all 
public e:op!oyment, now assuiSKd tbe character of 
a private gentleraan ; he employed himself in hn- 
proving his farms and phinlation, and in cultiva- 
ting tlie arts of peace. But In tuis retreat of h:ip- 
^ :.eso and rural ifimpllcily lie was not i-uuert-d 
lo.ig to remain ; it was too soon for the father rf 
ylm,rlca to 'eave his infant care, his well-tried vir- 
tues Vv''ere goneraily and justly known to hisf^'Ilow.. 
citizens, and tiielr confi Ic'rioe in hi? judgment, ex.» 
pcrience and disinterested patriotism, was uiilver- 
sal even to enthusiasm. Four years had not ex- 
pired from the period at 'vvl.-ich heresigiied his mil- 
itary command, when the voye of his country a- 
gain called him to its service — in the year 1787, 
he was elected a deley^ate to the federal convention 
v/hich met at Piiliudeiphia to form the new con- 
stitution, and was chosen president thereof. — 
Whatever diifercncc of sentiment there njight have 
been amongst the citizens with regard to the prin- 
ciple, structure, or adoption of the new constitu- 
tion, there appeared but one sentiment as to the 
man who should sit at the helm of its administra- 
tion. General Washington, after the adoption of 
tUQ icderal constitution, vvas, on tho oth of April, 



GcrtcrcJ Cczrge WcjTiln^on, I2T 

r,5, unanimously clfcte-I President of the United 

Lies — wUerfupon the citizens te:tilied with be- 
cumingjoy, their confidence and approbation at tils 
appointmcrit to the oHice of clnot magistrate, and 
innumerable addresses reiterated his praibc, from ev- 
ery part of t lie union. 

iiis triumphal entry into Philadelpbin, on h'g 
way to New-York, the soat*of government, to as^ 
sm,a<? the duties of his important office, merit a 
nslnute description. Early on t!ie mornin^r of tlio 
<20th of .^pri!, his l-xccl!ency Ttiomas MiSlin, Khq. ; 
governor of the state, the Hon, Richard Peterg, 
Ivjq. ; Speaker of the legislature of thn State, the 
Old city troop of horbe, and another troop from the 
city, commanded by captain Bingham, waited the 
p,rnval of their beloved (Vaih'.rgtony at llie line be- 
tween t lie stiites of Ponnsylvania and Delaware, 
to v/hlch pla»:e thpy had proceeded on thecvciiiro' 
before. 

After paying him the tribute of military honor 
due to hiS rank and CKviited character, by nroper gft- 
lutcs and otlierwis*^, t!r:y cscoitcd him into Ches- 
ter, where they break tUi^'ed, and rested a couple of 

liOUf.-. 

This great and worthy man, finding he cou'd 
not po-sib!y eluuo Lie pciradc v/hich neceosar.iy 
must atiend mariile:ta,ticns of joy a!id y flection, 
when displayed by a grateml peojjje, to their pat- 
riot benefactor, ordered his' c:.rri:iges into the rc=rtr 
of tlie whole hne, an<i mountt 1 an ele^^ant horse, 
acn-npanied by the venerable p'l'rior, C.harieg 
^u^^iv^tQUf S!>(j. and i:ils former aid-ae-ctimp, the 



128 



celebrated Colonel Ilamphrlcs ; bv-^th of whom 
were ai-o on horse bock. 

On tUe'iT way to the city, thoy were joined \y 
detachmerits from t!ie Chester and Plulade!^>h'a 
troops of horse, and aho hy a number of res, rota- 
ble citizens, at whose head was the worthy citizon 
and soldier, his Rxcellency Arthnr St. Clair, t.^q. 
governor of the Western Territory. TIhi^ they 
proceeded to Gray's ferry, on '-^chuy ;k:!! ; obsei vir*^ 
the stricter order and regularity durinjj; the n;aroh. 
But here such a fcene presented iiseif, that even 
the pencil of a Raphael conk! rsot dehnente. 

The bridge was highly decorated with laurel 
and other evergreens, by Mr. Gray, the ingenious 
Mr. Peale, and others, and in such a style as to dis- 
play uncommon taste hi the^e geniiemen. At each 
end there were -erected magiahcent arches, com- 
pose 1 of laurel, emblematical of ihe anc ei-t tri'j;~r-»- 
phu,l arches, used by tlie Roman':, and on each side 
of the bridge, a laurel i-hrubbery, which seemed to 
chalSenge even nature herself, for simpncity, ea e 
and elegance. And as our beloved Washing iciv 
pas-ed the briilge, a lad beauthuliy ornamervt^d 
with sprigs of luarel, assisted by certain machinery, 
let drop above the hero's head, im perceived by him, 
s, civic crown of laurel. There was also a very el- 
egant display of variegated flags oji each -ide of t)>e 
bridge, as well as other places, whioli alternalely 
caught the eye, and hiled thespectatcr's soul with 
admiration and deliglit. 

But who can de>cribe the h^art-felt congratula- 
tioiis of more than twe.^ty thQ'J'':arid free Qitizvus^ 



v^\i<\ Ilnel pvprv fencp, fie'i, an'l aveatje bot .veen 
'$li3 hri'lT? :ini t'le eity '^ ^in ii;-^! ^ire, th^ vene- 

j'lut'i, were all e:Ti'i'oiJs in th.-T |.)!:tadi>'s — 11113% 
th» lispinor irjfanr viil n^t wit!i loid its innocent 
■Smile of pr:ii^:c *i«(l aj)prohatioD. 

In sti )rt:, all disses aid description of citizens 
discovered (asid they fel- svhat they diicwered) t'le 
most indis;^ jised attic'rnent and unbounded zea! 
for their deAr chief, and I may add, under God, the 
Savio'ir of ther co.i rry. Not all -the po^np of 
mijeb'ty, not even inperial disunity itself, surround- 
ed vith it;i usual s jleni ) ir an i mj,2iiiiicence, could 
eqai> this interestin;^ scene. 

) 1 a^>;>'•oa(^hin<; near the city, O'lr illustrjoiig 
eh'^r wai Iiixh'y gratirie.l with a further military 
di-;!)Uy of inftntry, and ar'ciilery \yho joined in the 
prooerision, and th.:>usands of freeKien, whose heart« 
burned with patriotic hre, also fell into the ranks, 
^.'ifTiost every squ-tre they mirche I, nntiJ the colaiTin 
swelled beyoni credibility itself, and having con- 
d icted the niin of their hearts to the city tavern, 
vhe was introlucc I ^to a verr grand and plentiful 
banquot, v/hloh was prepared for him by the citi- 
zaa^-. At dinner," thirteen patriotic toasts werq 
draak. The pleasures and festivity of the ^%y l^e- 
in.5 over, they were succeeded by a handsome dis- 
play of fire w-orks in the eve ling ; tliJs tnay give 
St faint idea of this glori'i'tJd procession, and of the 
universal joy which inipirsd t\'tTy heari up:)n this 
in'ero-^ti'jg, this imjiortm": o .-casion. 

iiavlii^* arrived at the ieu.t of g:)verni^ent h« 



130 Biographic cj /tIt?no'irs of 

delivered tlie fcillowing Inangural address to toth 

houses of Congress, viz. 

Inaugural Adcirefs of the PrefK^ent of 

the United States to both 

Houfes of Congfefs. 

Geailrfficfif 

'* Among tlie vicissitudes incident to life, no 
event could have filled me with greater anxieties, 
than that, of wliich the notification was transmit- 
ted bv your order, and received on the foiirttenlh 
day of the present mon^h : on tlie one hand, I was 
summoned by my country who^e voice [ can nev, 
er hear but with venoration and love, from a re-i 
treat which I had ch )sen with the fondes-t pre>ie«{ 
liclioH, and, in my fi:ittering hopei, v.itU an im- 
mutable decision, as the asylum 'of " , declining! 
years: a retreat which was rstudereu every dayi 
more neceK?ary, as well as more dear to me by the 
addition of habit to incliualion, and of frequent in- 
terruptions in health, to the grad ,'al wa.^te com- 
mitted on it by time. On the other hund, the 
magnitude and ditliculties of the trubt, to which 
the voice of my country called me, being sufTioietit 
to awaken in the ^iscst and mos^ €^x,)erieiiK.ed of 
her Citizens, a distrustful scrutiny into hisq^-alifica. 
tions, could not but overwh&hn with despoiaiehce, 
one, who, inheriting inferior endow nients irom na- 
ture, and unpractised in the di>ties of civil aUmin- 
istration, ought to be peculiarly coubcicus of his 
own de^ciexicies. In this coniuot of eiuotions, ail 



Ccncral George JVasJungfon, 131 

T flare* aver, is tliat it has bf en my faithful stiidy 
to c)!!ert m.v cIvj^;.' froin a j'ist appreciation of eve- 
ry cirou AStance. by which it might be alTecteH, 
All I d i-e h),HN is that if, in executing thiy task, 
I nave been roo 'unchsu'ayed by a grateful remeiii- 
brance of fonnet' instances, or by an affectionate 
sensibiiity to this transcendant proof of tlie confi- 
de. ice of mv fe!l'>w citizeiis — and have thence too 
litt'e-on'<n!ted ^ y inc:ipaeity as well as disincli- 
n it';on for the weighty an! untried cares before me 
. — mv f'rror will bo palliated by the njotives which 
m'slea* .ne, an<i its consequei»ce:s be judged by ray 
co'jury, wirh some share of the partiality in which 
they originated. 

" Su:li h^'wig the impressions under which I 
have, in belience to the public samaions, repaired 
to tlie present station —it would be peculiarU im- 
proper to O'Tiit in the firs^ otlRcial act, my fervent 
suupliv^ations to that Almighty Beirfg wlio rules 
over t he- uni verso, who presides in the counciis of 
nati jLis — and wiiose pr' videnlia! aids can supply 
evcTv human defect, tliat his benediction may con- 
secrate til the liberties ?ind happiness of the i.eop.le 
of t'tie IJaited States, a government instituted by 
themselves lor tlic.-e es-enticil purposes : and may 
^nab'e every insstrument. employed in it? adminis- 
tration, to execute with sucoeds tlie functions allot- 
ted to his charge. In tendering this lioiTiage to 
the great Author of every public and private good, 
I as ure myself that it expresses your i,e;;tiiriCnts 
not le-s than my ov. n. nor tliore of my fellnvv cit* 
iaens at lar^e, less than eiihcr. No people can be 



132 lnGPr.i--£col TJant^rs cf 

bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible b-in^i^ 
vhich coiKli:cts the afiitirb- of nrien, more than the 
propie of t he United States. Evcrj j tcp, by w hi( h 
ti;ey have advanced to tlie cliaracler cf an inde- 
pendent nation, ireeins to have been di^tinpan^ted 
hy ?onie tokens cyf providentJal a< ency. And m 
the imj)Grtant revohition jiist accoinpliilied in the 
system of their United government, the tranquil 
deliberations ai d vohintary consent of so irary dis- 
tinct communities, from v> hieh the event has re- 
suhed, cannot be compared w ith the meaits by 
\i hieh most goiTrnments hiave been e.-tL^,:isbedy 
without some return of pious gratitude, along with 
£.n humble anticipation of the futiue blessings 
%vhich the pa«t seem to presage. These Ttijto- 
lions, arising out of the present cris's, have forced- 
thtmseives too strcnp^ly on ray laind to be sup- 
pressed. You will join me, I trust, in thinking, 
that there afe r.one under the irftuence of vluuh. 
the [<roc>tedii;«;s of a new and free governntcnt can 
jiitre auspiciously con'mence. 

** By the article establishing the executive oe. 
partment, it is made tlie duty of the I rt^^ident *' to 
Kcomm.end to your con:-ic!er;aion such measures as 
lie sh^l! judg^e necessary and txpcdieit." Ti;© 
circum:5tanocs under vliich I novv' rr.eet you, v -K 
ac;]tiit me from er.terirg into that ^object, farther 
than to refer to the ^'[reat c^jnstitutioriii! chartc? 
nnder wliich ycu are iiOw asiembie^ ; and which 
in defining your [iowtrs, designates tlie objects to 
which your a'lUntion is to bo given. It wiii be 
?i;ore cuisisl^iit, vs'hh thQ^c cirwuuist^uicc^i, wiu ijti k 



I 



(^eneril George WasJmigfon. 133^ 

snore congenial with the feelings Vvhlch actuate 
nio, to substitute in place of a recommeuflittion of 
parlicuhr measure?, the tribute that is due ^ the 
talents, the rectitude, and the patriotism whicb a- 
clorn the characters felecled to device and to adopt 
them. In these qualifications, I behold the surest . 
pledp;es, that as, on one side, no local prejudices or 
attachments — no separate views — nor party ani- 
mosities, will mis direct the comprehensive and e- 
qual eye which ought to watch over this great as- 
semblage of comniunities and interests : so, on an- 
other, that the foundations of our national policy 
will be laid in the pure and immutable principles 
of private morahty ; and the pre-eminence of free 
government, be exemplified hy all the attributes 
v/hich can win the affections of its citizens, and 
command the respect of the world. I dwell orv 
thi? prospect with every satibfaction vzhich an ar- 
flent love for my country can inspire ; since tl!cr<^ 
is no truth more thoroughly established, than that 
there exists in the economy and course of nature, 
an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness, 
between dutv and advantage, between the gen- 
jine maxima of an honest and magnanimous pcii- 
?y, and the solid rewards of public prosperity ar;d 
elicity : since we ought to he no less persuaded, 
hat the propitious smile? of Heaven can never be 
pectcd on a nation that disregards the eternal 
u'es of order and right, whiei> Heaven itseii h:\rh 
rdained ; and since the pre.-ervation of the sacred 
re of liberty, arid the destiny of the republican 
ioue* of goverramiit, arejustiy coiisiderediii d^ep- 
M 



134 BhgrrpJvccJ Memoirs of 

\y, perhaps as finally staked, on tlie experiment 
entrusted to the hands of the American people. 

'• ♦besides the ordinary objects submitted to your 
care, it will remain with your judgment to decide 
how far an exercise of the occasional power dele- 
gated by the fifth article of the constitution is ren- 
dered expedient at the present juncture, by the na- 
ture of objections which have been urged a<];ain3t 
the system, or by the degree of inquietude whicU 
has given birth to them. ■ Instead of undertaking 
particuiar recommendations on this subject, ia 
which 1 could be guided bv no lights derived from 
official opportunities, i shall again give way to my 
entire coufidenoe in your discernment and pursuit \ 
of the public good ; for I assure myself that whilst 
you carefully avoid every altercation which night! 
endanger the benefits of an united and effective 
government, or which ought to await the future i 
lessons of ex;'erience ; a reverence for the churac- 
terittlc rightb of fr^^emcn, and a regard for the p».b* 
lio harmony, will sulTiciently infirence your delib- 
erations on the qtiestiOJi, how far the iormer can 
be more inipregnably fortified, or the latur be safe- 
ly and advantageously promoted. 

" To the jtrcceding observations, I have one to 
add, which will be most properly addressed to the 
House of Representatives. 1 1 cor.cerns myself, ar.d 
therefore will^be as brief as possible. When I was 
first honoured with a call into the service of my 
country, then on the eve of an arduous struggle fv^ 
its liberties t!ie light in which I contemplated raj 
duty, reou'rcd that I bhouid rexiounee every pecu» 



General George Washington,^ 135 

iary corrpensation. From this resolution ! have 
in no instance departed. And being still under 
the nnpressions which produced it, I nnust declir.e, 
as inapplicable to myself, any share in the persona! 
emoluments, which may be indispensably included 
in a permanent provision for the executive depart- 
ment ; and must accoidingly pray tlmt tl e pecun- 
iary estimates for the station in which ^ am placed, 
ina3% during my continuance in it, be limittd ta 
such actual expenditures as the public good may 
be thought to require. 

<• Having thus imparted to you my sentiments, 
as they have been awakened by the occasion which 
hx>i gs us together, I shall take my present leave ; 
but not without resorting once njore to the benign 
Parent of ^he human race, in humble supplication, 
t i-t since he has been pleased to favor the Amer- 
ican people with opj.>ortunit'es for de'iberat ng iri^^ 
"^"rec^'tram.ui ' • , and disportions for deciciir.^ 
vitn unpuralielcd v nmimity on a form of govern- 
inriit, for the security of their union, and the ad- 
vancement of their hjfppiness ; so his divine bles- 
sa);:^ may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged 
views, the tempirate consultation?, and the wise 
m asures on which the success of this government 
must depend. 

G. Washington," 



The first session of Congress, under the new con- 
stitution, continued their sittii gs Irom the 4:h of 
March until the 29th of September, their attention- 
was chiefly directed towards the eatabiithment of 



!35 B'cyrapVical Mimo'-rs of 

variau? re^^ula^ion? for the restoration of the pnhHe 
credit <y^ tiio United -states, an i other objects of ji> 
Iltical economy. Darri^ t!ir= p?riod of the session, 
t;ie ;^resident resiiei at Ne,v-'Y'jrk, :?anctionin<r t.!>,e 
P';occsdii)g5 of the legislature, and otherwlso org.in- 
m^% the federal 9;overn'-oent. Shortly after thn 
rising of Con«;ress, ho made a tour tc* the states of 
Connecticut, Missachnsetts, and New Hampshire, 
ancnded by M.^s?rb'. Lear and Jickson, his ?ecrrta- 
rieg. In every pirt of the country through wtiich 
he passed, tho cilisens emhraceJ the op;)ortuu'.ty 
of personally testifying; their odtee.n and respc^ t of 
the ;«'{/; of the r rhncp^ in whose character, whatovor 
is great and good —whatever dignilie* and ad >rni 
hu'iian nature, are so happily united. .^.11 that a 
grateful people couli piy, wai5 paid, when ver h« 
ap;iroached a town or village, the roads were lined 
-^ith oiti'iiens to luil hiin welco ue — t^^* ^ military 
ejoorted hi-n frOiH i)la2e to pla^e. Pariiculfirly to 
relite all the •j:ra,tefiil te'3ti;iionials whicli were paid 
him during this visit, i? impossible fro n their nu:n- 
b-^r. If our lim't? would [••>: n't, a de->cription of 
the manner In which lie vas received at Boston 
woaVd be particuiaHy interesting^; nor can we spe- 
•ifv the numerous congratulatory aldresses which 
were presented him. But no particular circum- 
stance <^ave him m^re pleasure, during his whale 
tour, than the pUiin and hearty manner i.T wliioh 
Mr. North:^y, the chairman of the seleotmto at Sa- 
lem received him. This gentleman is of the socie- 
ty of Friends, and when tlie President was present- 
er, tw the selectmen, Mr. Northey, being covered, 



€^efieral George WasAwgtotf, 137 

tooK him by the hand said, " Friend Washington, 
we are glad to see thee, and in behalf of the inhab- 
itants, bid thee a hearty welconie to Salem." 

On his arrival at Newbury])ort, the following 
incident occurred, a poor old soldier najned Cotton, 
who was with him in the memorable battle on the 
Ohio, when Braddock was defeated, requested, and 
was admitted into the room where the President 
was — on the sohfier's asking '' hcnu M.jcr JVashihg" 
ton did*"' the President immediately recollected his 
person, and rising from his chair, took him by the 
hand, and tenderly enquired into the scenes of his 
life, and present circumstances, •* I thank God,^ 
answered the soldier, "that 1 have an opportunity 
cf seeing my old commander once more, I have 
seen him in adversity, and now seeing him in glo- 
ly, I can go home and die contented/' The next 
morning, h« came again to take leave of the Pre- 
sident, who gave him a guinea, which he accept- 
€tl he said, '< merely as a token in remembrance of 
his commander," and which lie wore pendent on 
his bosom, declaring that nothing earthly should 
separute it from him. 

While General Washington was President of 
the United States, the following circumstance, 
which does honour to his humanity, occurred. 
One Reuben Rouzy, of Virginia, owrd him about 
a thousand pounds ; one of the President's agents 
brought a suit for the money, judgment wab ob- 
tained, and execution issued against the body ol the 
defendant, who was taken to goal. He had a can- 
lidtrable landed Jpro^perty, but this kind of ^Toperty, 
M 2 



1 5 3 Bk^ ropJt'ca I Metnclrs rf 

cannot be sold in Virginia for debts, unices at tb« 
discretion of the person. He had a lar[2;e fainiiy, 
and preferred lyir'g in goal to selling his lande^^, /or 
the take of his children, — Some of his acquaintarxe 
hinted to hinn, thcit proUably General Washiiigton 
did not know any tiling of tlie proceeding, and it 
irjii;ht be well to send him a petition, with a -state- 
ment cf the circumstances. He did so, aid the 
very next post from Philadelpliia, after his petition 
arri\'ed, brought him a releasement, \vith*a severe 
reprhiia^id o» the agent fjr acting in such a cruel 
rr.anner, without consent. Poor liouzv was, in 
c jirsequence, restored to his famiiy imd happiness, 
who never laid down their head at night, witliout 
ci^erins; their prayers to Keaven for our iimch-he- 
loved Washingtox. 

On tiie 4th day of January, 3 790, Congress held 
th.eir second session at Kew-York. The President 
opeiicvl it with a speech ; he congratulated them 
on the favorable prQspects which the p'jblic af- 
fairs then assnmed ; the accession of the state of 
Koith-Carol.na to lbs Union, the rising credit and 
rt:spectabiiity of the country, and the concord, peace 
and plenty with vi^hich they were blessed r he di- 
recled their attention towards the raakiijg provis- 
ion for the common defence, assisrirg them that 
*' to be prepared for war, is one of the mf.st elTec- 
tua! means of preserving peace, and that a free peo- 
ple ought not only to be armed bat drscipiined ;" 
he recomm.ended the protectioti of the Western and 
Southern frontitTd ag:<inst tlie depredations of the 
liostdc Indians j the est&blishmcijt of intersourse 



(S-^nerc'l George V/dsTiir-rfoyt. 159 



\vhh other nations ; tp.e framing of an uniform law 
for the natiiraiizativin of foreigners ; the iirportanee 
of anifonr.ity in the eurrcncy, weights^ and ir.eas- 
fiires throughout the Union; the auviuicomerii of 
i agricuiture, commerce, and n annlactures ; the en- 
ccuragement of exertions of skill, uiiil genius, and 
to ficilitate the iiitercour-e between the ditti^nt 
p^rtsof the. co'intry, by a due attention to the po^it- 
oiTi^e and post roads. He ^jariiouiarly lecomiucn- 
deJ t'ne promotion of science aitd literature, as the 
surei't basis of piib'.ic happiness, «nd best means of 
\ securing a free constitution, by leaching the peo* 
[ p!e to know and to Milue their ri^jit^., to discern 
f.- id provide against innqivations of them, to distin- 
. li betvveen oppression and the necessary €xer- 
^.oe of law/ul authority, to discriminate the sp-r*t 
♦ of iiber^ty' from that of licentiousnccs, cherishing 
jfthe-^bt, avoiding the la-:t, and uniting a «|«eedy 
iMmt temperate yiglavice against encrodclinjent?, 
h 341 inviolable res|iect to the laws. He in- 
ned them that he had directed Iho pa;»ers and 
eit. mates to be laid before them, which were ne- 
cessary to convey to them, that information of the 
Btrte ef the Union, Vshich it was his durv t(» af- 
ford. Ke conjiuded by assuring tht?m, that *• lie 
siiouid derive great satisfaction, from a co-opera- 
lio.i witii fnevn, in the pieasin^, though ardu -(is 
ta<^k, of enstiring to ti^tir feliow-citizf-ns the bies- 
sii.-^s U'hicii they ha'* a right to expect from a 
free, effioient goveinmeia." 

Tlhs bcssion contiiiutd tl-c'r £ittin2:3 until th® 
I2th of Au^u>t foibwiiiij ; in that muuih the Prt. 



1 4 9 Bwgr^f^hu\il Mcinom of 

sident negociated a treaty of peace and friendshr^ 
l>«tween the United States and the Creek nation 
cf Indians ; the ceremony took place at New-York^ 
on the 30th of Septenriber. The same year Gen-- 
€ral Karmar, with 320 United States troops and' 
1 133 militia, gave battle to the Miami Indians, by 
•whom he was de eated with the loss of 183 niery 
jiilled, and 31 wounded ; about 100 or upwards of: 
the Indians were klk/i. The Miami village, con-, 
taining abo'.it 100 log hou' es, or wigwams, with 
20,000 bushels of corn, was destroyed. 

The third session of Congress met on the 6th of 
December, 1790, and rose on the 3d of March fol- 
io wiTig ; their deliberations were chiefly directed'' 
t0'//ards the regulation of commerce, further im- 
provement of the judiciul system, and making pro* 
vision fDr the appointment of consuls in foreign- 
countries. The state of Kentucky was adaiitted': 
fnto the union as a distinct state, anda loan was; 
negotiated with the states of Holland. 

The Indian war continued on the frontier of tl^ 
states. During the summer of 1791, Genenil 
Scott surprised the Wabash towns ; he killed about 
30 Indians, took 50 prisoners, and brought with 
him 200 horses, loaded with peltry and other ar 
tides of plunder, with the loss of three men only, 
The attention of tlie President during the period 
cf this Congress, was chjefiy directed towards the 
adoption of measures for the protection of the fron- 
tiers, and establishment of commerce. 

Oti th« •24th of October, 1791, the second Con- 
grei£3 «cunaienced their first session ; th« Fifesideiitj) 



Ge-'ercil Gccr^/ P/ash'tn^fCj}:. J 41 

»9 ♦.I'^'.ial, opened the session hv r. speech to bo'h 
lio:\^e? ; lie he^'^.n bt remarking the abundance of 
the precrclin.^ harvest, the progressive state -jf agri- 
C'rhisre, maivjfaclures, commi-rco and navigation, 
anl rh^ general *.?rl happv ef>'' ots which had betfi 
proiuced by the revival of public and private con- 
llJence, to whicli the Jaws of th--:' United Stares 
h-d so eryi'nentiy contnbnted. Me inentionedthe 
plan laid do .vu forconc-hating the frirncl?l'.ip of the 
Indians; t'le basis of which v.'js a strict ad{)erav<ce 
to the dictates of justice and humanity. The act 
for la'/injj; a duty on dishi'ed spirits, Xvxd been, he 
c?.!i, at ended with some dini-.niity, from the vv-ant 
of experience in the feJera! government, to iiiai:e 
the*proper arrangeratntb, and, in some ptirts of the 
union, there Iiad been a miscoijce'^tion o^ its pro- 
visions ; bot he entertained no doubt that tiie iis- 
content produced from it \vonld be reinovt^d by a 
ipropcr explaiiation ot the ]%\v. The President 
next obs.'^rved, that, agreeable to several acts on 
that subject, a district ol len tr.iles sqiiare-, [or the 
permanent seat of ttie government of I'.e United 
Statfs, had been fixed iiomh iind annaonced by 
proclamation'; tk;t the district coinprei'ended lands 
on bolh sides of the Potomac, and the towjis of 
Alexandria and Georgetown ; thxat a city had ac- 
cordingly been !iid out, and that there was every 
reason to exoeot a due progress in the buiidings, 
— He also informed the two houses that a ce/u; s 
of the inhabitants of the United States, bad bten 
llmo-^t completed, and afiijrded the pleashij;; a- -ur- 
mce that the present popuution bordereci upon 



t42 B'lographicol Mancjrs of 

fo'ir mi-lions of pe-sons ; that a further loan of 
two millions and an lialf of florins bad been com- 
pleted ifi Holland, upon terms similar to the la^t, 
and that another loan for six' millions of florins 
fcaH been se^ on foot. He concluded by recom- 
noending to their particular attention, the support- 
ing of the iriiitia on an effestlve plan: the ad mi ti- 
tration of the post otHoe, the ex'ention and Ira- 
provements of the {lovtroed?, the necessity fnr a 
public mint, an um'f 'fmity of \v'eig^ts and meas- 
ures, and a provision for the sale of the vacant 
lands of the United States. 

This session contin'ied their deliberations,! 
mntil the 8th of May* iay2, when they adjourn- 
ed till the first Monday of November fv llowni^. 
louring their session and adjournment, there v as 
no rema.kable of impvortant event; a serious of 
massacres, were, as formerly, committed on the 
frontiers ; the hopes exp-essed by the President, 
of being able to accommodate the disputes with 
the Ind'ans, did not prove succe;'L-fu!. On. the 
4ta of November, lT91,the United Slates ar- 
iny, under the c irn-mnd of General St Clair, was 
attacked by ^nrprize, within fifteen miles of the 
Miami village; the contest laste ! Tor four honrs 
whecuthe Indians became victoriou'-', tiie retreat of 
the Americans was accomplished with the l(»-^ of 
4G oMiJcrs, dOO privates, eight pie es of art.ilery 
and the.r whole b:igg-.ige. \n this battle it is said 
thit 1200 ^'anadians To jght under the disguise oi 
Jndlains. The attentj.-ji) of the Executiv^e. during 
this period, w;is also engijged in devisirig modes tc 



Gsm-ral Ceorge Wusliwgim, 145 

reconcile the citizens, in sotne districts of the union, 
to the aw, ej)a.cted for the purpose cf collecting a 
certain duty on spirits, distilled within the United 
States, in some of the states, particularly the west- 
cm parts ot Perpylvania, where a regular and for- 
niidable opposition legan to manifest itself, in con« 
sequence of which the special interposition of the 
President was deen .d advisable. Hf issued «. 
proclamation 'recomirteiM.lng a compliance with 
tlie laws, and warnino; the citirens against ah un- 
lawful proceedings and comlifl'aions, having ^ 
tendency to obstruct the same. 

The second Coug'-ess met again in November, 
179':;. The President opened tl^e session with a 
specn^h, the greatest ])art of which resp.ecUd the 
unfortunate endeavors to terminate the Indian hos- 
. tilities. He informed Congress of the opposition 
Nvhich had been manifcoted to the excise law, and 
recommended a revision of the judiciary system. 
Pi'e further observed that three loans had t.eeii ne- 
gociated for the uie of the United States, one at 
Antv.erp, and two at Amsterdam, each for thres 
iriiliions of florins, on very reasonable terms, which 
afforded a pleasing evidence of the increasirgcredr 
it of the new gGvenn-neTjt. On the 2d of March, 

ileretofor'^ the prosperity of the United States 
met with little or no interruption, except from, 
the ho tiiitJGS of the Indians. Tlie attention of 
the Executive was chiefly directed to t]>e os- 
tablisliment of those measures vvh^ch tliC organ- 
L::<-uc-ii of tlie iiifaut republic rendered iieoes- 



HA Bhgr-nfJiiccJ Memoirs q/ 

sary. T^ie extension of commerce and tlie dispw. 
tes or tlie ^'".'.iropea 11 powers, rendcrpd it necessary 
for the L^nited States to send and receive ministcrJ 
and agents, for the better' regulation of aiTIiirs. 

This necessary raeacure created troul)le? and per- 
plexitie? hitherto unknown to the Executive of the 
Uhited States. On the 8th cf April, 1793, citi- 
2en Genet arrived at Charleston, as minister pleni- 
potentiary from the executive of France to the 
President of the United States. On the 22d of\ 
the same month the President issued a procla- 
mation enjoining the citizens of the United 
States to a strict neuti-ality, in the contest be- 
fwe^n the ii}cirltime powers, ar.d threatening 
prosecution to all who should infringe the sarae. 
— The public approbation of this wise mfasure, 
for the preservation of the public tranquility, 
was manifested in numerous addresses to ths 
President, thanking liim in warm termj* for his 
atiencion to the interest of the citizens ; mai-y, 
however, were offeisded at the mea^ure, as they 
conceived that it implied a deficiepcy of respect 
and gratitude to the repu'^lic of France, to, whom 
the United Stiites were highlv indebte*d for tlieir 
Independence. Genet arrived in Paiildclphia, t>.e ' 
seat of government, on tiie 1 7th of Iv.u>y. The- 
bortJ'i^t of th's aiinibter is, perhaps, unexampled :, 
in diplomatic hisiory . It wa> n»t until the pubiica- . 
tionof the Proclamation of tiiePresdcMt, enjoining 
neutrality, that t)ie p;jvernment iiri't lieard cf h 
arrival, and even tjien, they w^rc only infornse 
through tiie medium of ihs nev'^-pR};erj^about » 



5 . 



CcncraJ Georre irasJtnrzf'^n, • 14.5 



fortnight af^cr his arrival ; instead of presenting his 
credentials to the President, he began to assume a 
conduct imprudent and unbecontiing ; he underlook 
to authorize the fitting out of araied vessels, he en- 
listed citizens and others, and gave commissions to 
cruise and commit hostilities against the vessels of 
England and other nations at war with France, 
but who were, at the same time, at peace witb tha 
Uijited States. These vessels had act'ially taken 
prizeSjbrought them into Amerlcan.por^; where tlie 
consuls of France held courts of admiralty, tried, 
condemned, and authorized their sale as legal pri- 
zes. These proceedingc^ in opposition to the peace 
of the United States, were instantly comp'ained o? 
by Mr. Hammond the British mini'^ter ; thus 
were the seeds of future controversy pbnted. The 
government of tlie United States ijiterfered, and» 
in some case-', over-ruled the proceedir.gs of both 
the British and French, as illegal ; remonstrances 
v/ere exhibited to the President, from both sides, 
which created a series of di idiomatic correspondence. 
Anew source of discontent, on the part of the 
French now arose ; Gent4 demanded, with sorrie 
abruptness, money from the treasury of the United 
J^tates, in part payment of their debt to Franco, 
with which the Ameircan government fouhd it: 
inconvenierit to comply. This state of diplomatic 
hostility could not be expected to hold out lan;^ 
without comiiig to a crisis. Accordingly, on the 
IGth of -Vugust, the President ordered Mr. Jeffers-on, 
the Secretary of ^tivte^ tu uddr ess a letter to Mr. 



1 46 Bjograpliical Mevio'irs of 

Morris, the American ambassador in France. 
soliciting tlie republic 1o recal tlieir minis- 
ler. In the mean time Citizen Dnplaine, Vice- 
coneul for the republic of France, in the port of 
Boston, having committed sundry encroachments 
on tli8 laws of the United States, the President, 
in conse«]uence thereof, suspended his powers. 

The term for which General Washington was 
elected President having expired, he was again re^ 
elected to the same office. On the 2d of Decem- 
ber, 1793, the third Congress commenced their 
first session. The President, in his speech to both 
houses, expressed a respectful sense of the conli. 
dence that he enjojyed, in being again called, by 
the suffrage of his fcllow-citizsns, to the office of 
chief magistrate. He recited the measures which 
he hail adopted to avoid a rupture witli any of the 
powers at war, and to ensure to the citizens of the 
United States, the rights of neutrality. He fnr» 
tiher recommended to Congresp, the necessity of pla- 
cing the country in a state of defence ; that while 
the United States fulfilled their duties to the rest 
of the world, they may likewise exact the fulfil- 
ment of the like duties towards them. He inform- 
ed them of the meuns which bad been pursued for 
conciiliating the dispositions of the Indians^, and 
recommended to Congress to make provision for 
the estabiii-hment of commerce with the Indian na- 
tions, as the best means of securing their interest, 
and rendering their trarquilitf permanent; he con- 
cluded by recommending a repeal of the tax on.tb* 



General Cecrge JVashhgt^n. 147 

transportatio!! of public prints, as they contained 
the best means of inforiiiing the minds, and becur- 
ing the affections of their constituents ; he after- 
wards, by a special message, inrormed the House 
-of Representatives. '* that although the goverii- 
ment of the French nation, had generally mani. 
fested a friendly disposition to the United States, 
yet the person unfortunately appointed their min- 
ister plenipotentiary, had breathed nothing of the 
friendly disposition of tlie nation which sent hiid ; 
his proceedings had uniformly tended to involve 
us in a war abroad, and discord and anarchy at 
liome." He hoped that the French governineni: 
would not long tufTer the United States to reuiuin 
exposed to the action of a person, who had so (it- 
tie respected tlie mutual dispositions of the two 
countries. 

Soon after this period, this minister wastecalled, 
Ms conduct having been uncqinvocally disapprov- 
ed of. About this period the commerce of the 
United States began to suffer greaii;/, from the de- 
predatior'^ of the British, under pretence of their 
being loaded with French property; it also sufler- 
ed from the piracy of privateers, who, for the rr-ost 
part disclaiming justice altogether, seized both ves- 
sels and cargo, and disposed of the sam€> for their . 
own use ; a considerable number of American ves- 
sels were likewise captured in the Western Ocean 
hy tlie Algerine cor£aJrs. These subjects were as- 
sumed by Congress, and many modes wtre propo- 
•sed for the purpose of putting a slop to the uxiwafw* 



148 Kogrofucal Memoirs cf 

rantable excesses. A bill was pa«;sod, to provide a 
iiava* ar(Ti:i:T}ent against the .\li5ermes. On the 
'i5th of March, a motion was made in the House 
of Representatives, assented to by the Senate, and 
signed hy the President, laying an embargo for 30 
days on al! vessels boond tofore'gn ports ; this em- 
bargo vw^as afrer-Wcirds continued until the '25th of 
May. The Presldep.t was empowered to raise an. 
additional corps of artillery men, for the purpose of 
garrisoning 4;he fortificatio-ns for the defence of the 
sea-coasts t he was a. so authoriT^d to call )n the 
txecntives of the d iff rent states, to take effectual 
iiieasun^'s tor organising 80,,0«>0 c^tfevitive militia. 

O 1 tiie iOth of May, intelligence was received 
j£com the territorv N .V, of the river Ohio, stating 
the hardships whch the ciiizejis of that territory 
sustained from the iiostde disposition of the Cher-, 
okeo Indians ; the mass'tfccre of 200 [>eap!e, and the 
loss of 2000 liorses, formed a ^xirt of the list oi their 
disaster-^. On the '20lh of /lay, the President, by 
a message, informed t je House oi liepretfentativej, 
tha' there h^id been some danger of ho.v-^Uties a- 
gain-t the territoriet: of Spain, lu the neighborhood 
of tiic United States ; that the govei-nor of Ken- 
tucky had indicated that lie would make no exer- 
tions to prevent the expuision of the Spaniards 
from clie banks of the Mississippi, as lie had found 
them a perfidious and worthless people, constant- 
ly excii!.ng the Indians to iiiurder the iicttlcrs i^ 
that ouarter. 

i«)uring this sesiion of Congress, many important 



"General George TFashhi^hK, T45 

laws were enactei. The act a^- igning to the Mar- 
quis de la Fayette, the sum of 24,4 2 doiluri;. for 
his services, daring the war, being the pa}' of st 
major-general ; and the act forbidding ^in.fcrican 
citizens, or foreigners, residing in the United Suites, 
under severe penalties, frmn being concernea \n the 
e'ave trade, does great honor to the k^gL-iature.— 
On the 9th of June, 1794, this session adjourned. 

In 1T64, during the r-ecess of Congress, the at- 
tt-K-ition of tlie President of the United States v/an 
called to suppress an insurrection, which began t<^ 
a-'sanme a very formidable aspect. It was confined 
to the western parts of the State of Pennsylvania. 
The outlines of it a-re as follow, viz. During the 
year 17^0. the Congre-'s of the United States found 
it necessary " to lay and collocl excises." Thife 
moio of taxation, discordant to the genius of the 
citizens, ia many parts of the union, met with con- 
ydcrablc opposition, which, however, was gradual- 
ly banished by reason and patriotism, excepting I" he 
four western counties of Pennsylvania, where a 
])rejadice still remained, and produced symptoms^ 
of riot and violence. The disaffection v.'as at fsrst 
vented in general complaints ; certain associations 
were formed to preveni the operation of the laws, 
and the excise oiiiccrs received some marks of con- 
tempt and rudeness. These association held pub- 
lic meetings, and published their resolutions. Be- 
sides the excise la-v, they censured several other; 
acts of the federal goveriniient; as the exarbitaat 
N 2 



1 50 Biographical Maimrs of 

salaries of office, the institution of a national bank, 
thfi^ interest of the public debt, &c. 

On tiie 6th of September, 1791, the collector of 
the revenue for that district was seized by a party, 
armed, and in disguise ; they tarred and feathered 
hiiTi, cut off his hair, and committed other acts of 
violence ; legal process was therefore issued against 
the offenders, but the insurgents prevented the 
fiiarshal from serving them ; tiiey fired upon him, 
arrested, and, for some time,, detained him as a 
pF;soner ; a number of similar outrages v/ere com- 
mitted. The President, the ever watchful guardi- 
an of the constitution, beheld, with sorrow, these 
excesses ; he sought and weighed what was best 
to be done in this momentous crisis; he beheld the 
judiciary stripped of its capacity to enforce the 
iaws, and crimes, which reache^4 to the very ex- 
istence of social ortler, perpetrated without con- 
trol : the friends of government insulted, and that 
constitution violated, v/hich- he had made a sacred 
vow to protect ; he bc«held with abhorrence the- 
idea of '• arraying citizen agiinst citizen," until ev- 
ery lenient measure should be exhausted. He is- 
sued uroclai nations, exhorting; the rioters' to delist 
from SLicli disorderly proceeding?, he recommended: 
obedienca to the laws, he appointed commissioners 
to repair .o the scene of insurrection, authorised 
t!i9mto repair to the scene of insurrection, author- 
ized them to conier with_the insurgents, to state 
to them l\is sensations, to assure them that it was 
lii€ earnest vviih to avoid a reiiort to coc^xcion; h^ 



General George mizT^ngtcn, lS\ 

even offered them pardon, on condition of receiving 
satisfactory assurance of obedience to the laws. 

These lenient measures did not produce the good 
effects that should have been expected. The 
President therefore deemed it prudent to resort to 
military force. — Fifteen thousand militia were put 
in motion, their number intimidated the insur- 
gents ; thus the insurrection was quelled without- 
the effusion of blood; some of the ringleaders were 
apprehended and brought to trial ; one of them 
was found guilty of high treason and condemned 
to suffer, but was pardoned by the President. — In- 
deed, the same goodness of disposition actuated the 
President, from the beginning to the termiiiation--^ 
of this licentious invasion of the laws, notwith- 
standing there are in the United States, certain dis- 
contented, invidious individuals, who wish to stig- 
matize every act of the Executive with op^-io- 
bium. 

In November, 1794, the third Ccrgress held 
their second session, at Philadelphia. The Presi- 
dent began his speech with a history of the opjio- 
sition which hiid been manifested to the constitu- 
tion and laws of tlie United States, and of the 
means which he had pursued to suppress it ; the 
alacrity which the miiitia, and others who volun- 
teered their service displayed, exhibited, he saiJ, 
*' to the highest advantage, the value of : opubllcaJi 
government ; to behold the mott and least wealthy 
of our citizens, slan.ling in the same ranks as psi- 
va*te soldiers, pre-eiaineiitly distinguished by beiiig. 



i 52 Biographical Memoirs of 

the army of ths censtitution ; undeterred by a 
inarch of three hundred miles, over rugged moun- 
tahis, by the approach of an mclement season, or 
by any other discouragement.'* He recommended 
to Congress to re-lmburee tha olTicers of govern- 
ment and other citizens, who had sustained losses, 
for thelf g;en3rous exertions for upholding t!ie con- 
stitution an'i laws, " the amount,'' he said, " would 
not be great ; and on future emcrgencieis, tlie gov- 
ernment would be amply repaid by the influence 
of an example, that he who incurs a losi in its de* 
fence, shall ilai a recoinpense iii its iibe'rality." — 
The intelligence from the army of General Wayne, 
acting against the hostile Indians N. vV. of the 
Ohio, he said, afforded a happy [)resage to the mil- 
itary operations, t.hat they hai damced the ardour 
an 1 obatinao/ of the savages. — Yet although the 
power of the United States to punish them, could 
nut be ouestiqned, that he was not unwilling to 
cement a lasting peace, upon terms of equity and. 
good ncighborbood ; he recommended the adoption 
of a defmitive plan for the redemptien of the pub- 
lic debt, and in suber^^quent coinmunications he 
transmitted to them, certain papers relative to the 
intercourse of the United States with foreign na- 
tions ; they announced to Congress and to the 
world, his unremitting exertions to cultivate peace 
with ail the world, to observe treaties with good 
faith, to check deviations from the line of impar- 
tiality, and to explain and ^orrect wliat was mis- 
.apprehended or appeared iiijuriocs. 



General George IVaihwgtbn. 153 

Ever since the formal ratification of the treatica 
of peace between the United vStates and Great- 
Britain, numerous causes of complaint has existed 
on the part of both countries respecting its fulfil- 
ment. The history of the nature, progress, and 
final delermination of these disputes, will form a 
vcrv interesting part in the history of the political 
and diplomatic character of Pre j dent IVasfiiHgtoni 
but the bounds which we have assigned to the 
present sketch, prevents us from "entering fully up- 
on tlie subject : The ground of complaint on both 
sides, was disputed in 1797, in a correspondence 
between Mr. Jefferson, secretary of state, and Mr. 
Hammond, the envoy of i;ritain ; in their tetters, 
the leciprocal complaihts are stated with candour, 
perspicuity and completeness ; to support their re- 
spective arguments, they bring forward on each 
side, a large body of illustrations and authorities^ 
which are highly interesting. This correspon- 
dence was published by Congress in i7Q4. The 
arguments of Ivlr. Jefferson appeared to have con- 
tained unanswerable weight, as no reply or ex- 
planation were ever made to them, altiiough re- 
quested by him.— Aliairs remained in this state of 
suspense until Jane 1793, when the British, in con- 
sequence of their hostilities with France, issued or- 
ders to the commanders of their vessels, to stop all 
neutral vessels carrying provisions to any port in 
that republic ; ships attempting to enter any French 
port, blockaded by the English, were to be con- 
liemned, both vessel and cargo, whatever it may 



t^i B'tc^rafUoal MevwWs of 

consist 6f : the order contained a limited exception 
in favor of Dentnark and Sweden, but in the exe- 
cution of it, the rights of America were entirely 
disregarded. This matter produced a diplomatic 
discussion between the ministers of the two coun- 
tries, both at London and Philadelphia : Their 
correspondence produced a mutual wish on both 
sides to establish a treaty of comaaerce, and a friend- 
ly adjustment of all complaints. The President of 
the United States, accordingly nominated Mr. John 
lay, chief judge of the United States, as an ^nvoy 
extraordinary to the court of London. After a 
short passage, Mr. Jay arrived in London, where 
he met with a polite reception, and negociated the 
Treaty of Peace, Comvierce and N^iingatkn, which at 
present exists between the two countries. 

The Treaty arrived in Philadelphia in March 
I7Q5 ; it was shortly after submitted to the Sen- 
ate for their consent ; they returned it to the Pre- 
sident on the 24th of June, and advised the condi- 
tional rratification thereof. About the 3Gth of the 
jsame month it was submitted to the public throiigh 
the medium of the news pa])ers. It now became 
the general topic cf conversation ; it was placed iu 
all the diG'vrent points of view of which it was 
gusceptible, and m many of which it could not ad. 
mit. 

It met with great opposition, addresses and res- 
olutions were received from all the comraercial 
towns of the union; some advising its ratification, 
others disapproving of it in tcto. This opposition 



General George Washwgfon* 155- 

wa? viewed by the President in a very serious light y 
he considered the subject and weighed all the ar- 
guments which had been advanced ?.gainst it ; his 
own 0}>ini©n was not in favor of it, but he did not 
wish to differ from tlie Senate, and thought that 
it would be better to ratify it in the mannpr they 
had advised; to this nieasure he was also induced, 
as Mr. Jay had asserted " that no better terms 
could possibly be obtained ; and that obstinacy in 
rejecting the settlement, might be serious." The 
President therefore assented, and ratifications were 
' exchanged, v/ith' the suspension of the most ob- 
jeetionable article. 

This transaction is perhaps the most imfortunats 
that occurred to his Excellency during the whole 
period of his Presidency. Those opposed to the 
treaty did not fail to load him with reproach ; no 
fctone was left unturned that could impress upon. 
the minds of the citizens gross falshoods ; such as, 
that the treaty contained no reci[)rocaI advantages, 
that the benefits were all on the side of Britain, 
liiat their rights v/ere not only neglected, but ab- 
solutely sold, th.at it was made with the design of 
oppressing the French, and contrary to every prin- 
ciple of gratitude and sound policy. 

The r.rst sessionj^f the fourth Congress met at 
Philadelphia, in December, 17S5. The President 
in a speech inform>ed them that negociatiors; were 
an foot for the adjustment of affairs v/ith the hos- 
tile Indians, and also with the Dey and Regency 
9i Alg;iers ; that he had received tiss-urances of % 



156 ^ Biogro-j^hlcal Memoirs of 

speedy and satisfactory conclusion of the negocia- 
tions with Spain ; that with the advice of the 
Senate he had ratified a treaty with BritiTin, upon 
a condition which excepts part of one article. Ke ' 
recommended a review of the military establish- 
ment, and to make provision for garrisoning and 
securing the western posts which were to be de- 
livered up by the British. He informed them that 
a sthte of the finance and appropriations necessary 
or the ensuing year would be laid before them, 
as also statements relative to the mint, progress in 
providing materials for building frigates, state of 
fortifications, and military magazines, &c. He 
concluded with a recommendation of temperate 
di^cus=!ion and mutual forbearance in subjects where 
a difference of opinion ma-v be apt to arise. 

A warm and lengthy discussion took place in 
the House of Representatives relative to the Brit- 
ish treaty. Botii sides of the question were ably 
supported ; few subjects had ever come before the 
House, upon which so many m.embers delivered 
their sentiments. On the 24th of March, 1796, 
they came to a resolution, requesting the President 
to lay before the House, a copy of the instructions 
to Mr. Jay, together with his correspondence and 
other documents relative to that treaty. To w hich 
request, the President gave a posilive refusal ; he 
assured the House, that he hadalM-ays endeavour- 
ed to harmonize with the other branches of gov- 
erntn'-nt, aiid that he had never withheld any in-' 
ior:ri^.tic;i which the constitut'.on enioine^i him to 



General Gecrr: IVaJur.z^n. 15^ 



give. But that the nature of foreij^n nej^ociatioiis 
required caution and secrecy, that ail the papers 
relative thereto had been laid before the Senate, 
that the constitution empowered him to make 
treaties with the consent of that body, but that it 
would establish a dangerous precedent to admit a 
right in the House of Keprei;eritatives to demand 
and have all papers respecting negociations with 
foreign powers, after the treaties were finally con- 
cluded and ratified, and the assent of that house 
not necessary to their validity. 

We deem it unnecessary to enter into a history 
of the differences with the republic of France^ as 
'they are not yet terminated, and are so recent as 
to be generally remembered, suffice it to observe, 
that during the whole period in which General 
Washington sat at the helm of public affairs,^ his 
whole conduct has uniformly exhibited moderation 
and prudence, magnanimity and firmness, wisdom 
and virtue. 

The period of General Washington's second e- 
lection to the office of Chief Ma^iistrate bein"- near- 
iy expired, he put on a determined resobition to 
retire from the public and enjoy his declining years 
in private life. Upon thin momentous occasion, 
resigning a charge which he ?.t fir^t accepted 
through his enthusiasm for the principles of rcition- 
alliberty^ he was impressed v/ith the purest wish- 
es for the future happiness of that republic, which 
he had devoted thp early, the mature, and a por- 
tion of his delin^ng years to establish. And us a 
O 



158 B'logro.pKu-al Mefiich 



■S Cf 



tesliniori}^ of pure regard, he pubhsbed tiie fulio^- 
ing iiiaslerlv addrtis to his fellow-citizens. 



ADDRESS 

Clf his Exceilff/cy George VrAsniNGTo?^, 
£.s'a. President of the United States ^announ- 
cing his Intention of retiring- from all pub- 
lic employment. 

TO TliE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Friends aud I'cIIoiv-C:i:ze}:Sy 

THE period of a new election of a citizen to 
&drr,inister the executive g;ovcrnment of the Uni- 
ted States, being not far distant, and the time ac- 
Inally arrived, when ycur tl^onghts must be em- 
ployed in df-sif^natir.g tiie person, who is to be 
clothed witli that iir.portcint trust, it ap[>ears to 
me proper, especially as it m?y ccnduiie to a more 
distinct expres.^ion of the public voice, that I .^houM 
now apprise you of the resolution 1 have formed, 
to decline being considered among the number of 
those out of whom a choice is to be trade. 

I be^i; yon, at the same time, to do me the jiiS' 
tlce to be assured, that this resolution lias itot been- 
taken without a strict regard to all the considera- 
tions appertaining to the relation, wldoh binds a 
dutiful citizen to his ccnntry; iuid that, in with- 
dra-^vin^ the tender of iieryiae which ?iieuca, in my 



Qcmrcd Geo'rgs JVa.iJihivton, 159 

gltuali in nis^iit imply. I am inQ lencscl by no di. 
minution of zeal for your future interest ; no de. 
firiency of gratcfui re'^^pect for your past kitKlneiS ; 
but am Sii;>[>or{ed hy a full conviction that the step 
is co-npatible with both. 

Tl)f^ acce^>tance of, and continuance liitherto in 
th? ouice to which your Etinrap;&3 havetv/ice oaii- 
f 1 me, have been an uniform sucrifice of inclina- 
tion to the opinion of duty, and to a deference for 
what appeared to be your desire. .1 constantly 
hoped, that it woiii I have been much earlier in my 
power, consistently with n:iotives, which I was not 
at liberty to disre;5ard, to return to tViat retirement^ 
from which I had been reluctantly drawn. The 
strengtli of my inclination to this, previous to th@ 
Jast elec*tion, had even led to the preparation of an 
address to declare it to you ; but mature retiectioii 
on the then perplfxei and critical posture of our 
affairs with foreign nations, and the unanimous ad- 
vice of persons entitled to my confidence, impelled 
me to sbandon the idea. 

i rcj;)ice, that the state of your cjncernSj exter- 
nal as well as int^-rnal, no longer reod^rn the pur- 
suit \>f inclination inv-^ompatible with the £cnti:nent 
of duty, or propriety ; and am persuaded, whatev- 
er partiaUty may be retaineti for rtty services, that 
in the present circtmistances of our country, yoa 
v/iil not di-jappr'>ve my determination to retire. 

The impre.rions with which I first undertook 
the arduous trust, were explained on the proper oc- 
ca>iou. In the discharge of this trust, I will only 



1 60 'Bftcgriipk'tcal Memoirs cf 

say, that I have with good intentions, contributed 
towards the organization and administration of the, 
government, the best exertions of whicli a very 
f:tllible judgment was capable. Not unconscious, 
in the outset, of the inferiority of my qualifications, 
experience in my own Gyez, perhaps stiil more in 
the eyes of others, has btrengthencd the motives 
to dithJence of myself ; srd every day the increas- 
ing weight of years admonishes me more and more, 
that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me, 
as it will be Vv^eicome. Satisfied that if any cir- 
cumstances have given peciiliar vaiaeto my ^ervi- 
ees, they were temporar; ; j have the ccnsolation 
to beheve, that while choice and prudei^ce invite 
me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not 
forbid it. 

In looking forward to the moment, which is in- 
tended to terminate the career of my public life, 
my feelings do not permit me to suspend the deep 
acknowledgment of that debt of graiitiide which I 
owe to my beloved country, for the many honours 
it has conferrevi upon me ; still more for the stead- 
fast confidence with which it has supported me ;' 
aiKi for the opportunities I have thence enjoyed of 
inanilesliing my inviolable attachment, by services . 
faithful and pe?-severing, though in usefulness une- 
qual to my zeal. If benefits have resulted to our 
country from these services, let it ahways be re- 
membered to your praise, and as an instructive ex- 
ample in our annals, that under cirrumstance^ in 
which the pai^sioiis, agitated in every direction,. 



Ceneral George fVaihhtgfoK, 161 

wei^ lial)le to mislead, amidst appearances some- 
times dubious, vicissitudes of fortune often discour- 
aging, in sitmtlons in which not unfrequentljr 
want of success has countenanced the spirit of crit- 
ici>m, the constancy of your support was the es- 
sential prop of the efforts, and a guarantee of the 
plans by whicii iliey were effected. Frofoundly 
penetrated with this idea, I shall carry it with 
me to my grave, as a strong incitement to unceas- 
ing vows. That Heaven may continue to you 
the choicest tokens of its beneilcence ; that your 
union »and brotherly affection may be perpetual ; 
that the free constitution, wliich is the work of 
}^onr hands, may be sacredly maintained ; that its 
adt7)inistrarion in d^-ery department may be stamp- 
eJ vv ith wiidom and virtue ; that, i:i hne, the hap- 
piness of the people of these stales, luidfr the au- 
spices of liberty, may be mr.de complete, by so care- 
ful a preser^ration, and so prudent a use of this 
blessing, as will acquire to them tlie glory of re- 
commiending it to applause, the ai?;jctiori and a- 
doption of every nanon v/u!jh is ye': a, tt.-ans'er 
to'i^ 

Ht ■ ■, perhaps, I ought to stop. I3ut a solici- 
tu.le for your welfare, which cannot end bijt with 
iv.y life, and the apprehension of danger, natural 
to that solicitude, ur^ me on an occa-ion like tlic 
present, to offer to your solemn contemplations, 
and to recommend to your frequent review, somo 
sentiments, which are the result of much reOec- 
tion, cf no inconsiderable observation, and which 
O 2 



102 Blogr.-.f ileal Mcmcirsof_ 

appear to me all-important to the permanencj of: 
your felicity as a people. These will bs offered to 
you with the more freedom, as you can only see 
in them the disinterested warnings of a parting 
friend, who can possibly have no pergonal motive 
to bias his counsel. Nor can 1 forget, as an en- 
courag:ement to it, yop.r indulgent reception of my 
sentiments on a former and not di-;similar occa- 
sion. 

Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every 
ligament of your hearts, no recommendation cf 
mine is fiecesi;ary to fortify or confirm the attach- 
ment. 

The unity of government vvhicli constitutes yoa 
one people, is also now dear to vou. It is justly 
so ; for it is- a main pillar in the cdificeof your real 
independence, the support of ^our tranquillity ut 
home, your peace abr(.;ad ; of your safety, of your 
pros;)erity ; of that very liberty 'wh^ch you to 
highly prize. But a« it is easy to forsee, that from 
different causes, ahd from diflercnt quarters, much 
pains will be taken, many^ artifjces emj)loyed to 
weaken in your mir)ds the conviction of thiu truth 5 
Rs this is the point in your political fortresb >,aini:t 
which the batteries of internal and external ene- 
emies v/ill be most constantly and actively (though 
often covertly and iniiidiously) directed, it is of in- 
finite moment, that you should properly estimate 
the im.r*iense value of yonrnational union, to ycui* 
collective and individual happinees ; that yoii 
«iiOUid diCiish a cordial, habitual aiiO^imii-ieveable 



Ge:tc?al George Wmlihigtcn. l^^ 

attachment to it ; accustoming yourselves to thin¥ 
an='l speak of it as of the pailadiiim of your politi- 
cal safety and prosperity ; watching for its pres- 
ervation with jealous anxiety ; discountenancing 
^vhatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can 
in an event be abandoned ; and imlignantly 
frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt 
to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, 
or to enfeeble the sacred ties, w hich now link to* 
getlier the variov:s parts. 

For this you l^ave every inducement of sympa- 
thy and interest. Citizens by birth or choice, of 
a common country, that country has a right to 
concentrate your afTt^ctions. The name of Ayncr'i" 
can, which belongs to you, in your national capa- 
city, m:ist always exalt the just pride of patriot- 
ism, more than any apu&liation derived from local 
discrinriina. ions. With slight shades of ditTerencCi 
you have the fin.me religion, manners, habits and 
political principles. You have in a common cause 
fouglit and triumphed together : the independence 
and liberty you possess are the work of joint coun- 
cils and joint effjrts, of common dangers, sufferings 
an<l -uccesscs. 

But these cansidcralions, however powerfiHy 
they address themselves to your sensibiii'ty, aiO 
greatly outvv-eighcd by those which apply mors 
imjnediately to your intcrect. Kere every pcrtion 
of our country finds the m.cst commanding mo- 
tives for carefuiiy guarding and prtiCTving the un- 
ion of the whole, • 



i o4 B'icgrafhlcal Memoirs of 

The North in an nnrestrained intercourse with 
the South, protected by the equal laws of a com- 
mon government, finds in the pro uictions of the 
latter, great additional resources of niaritiniis anel 
coinmercial enterprize and precious materials of 
manufacturing industry. The South, in the same 
intercourse, benelitiiing by the agency of the North, 
sees its agriculture grovv, and its commerce ex- 
pand. Tiiniing partly into its own channels the 
seamen of tlie North, it finds its particuhr nariga- 
tio)i invigorated; and while It cc-fUributes in dif- 
ferent v/ays, to nourish and increase the general 
ina?s of the national navigation, it looks forwarl 
to the protection of a maritime strength to vvh":c)i 
itc^elf 13 unequally adapted. Tlie l''a:t, in a like in- 
td'course with the West, already iliids, and in the 
pr.^gsessive improvement of inlerior cosnmimica- 
lions, by land and water, wiil more and more flrjd 
a valuable vent for the commoJiti^s .wiiich it 
brings from abroad, or nianufact! tcs aj; home. — 
The West derives frcm the East, supplies requisite 
to its groxMth and comfort ; and what is'periups 
of still greater oonswuent^e, it mu^:' cf nccessity 
o^re the :c:utc enjoyment cf indispei;^ab'« cutlets for 
^ its own productions to the weight, ir.fiUcnce, and 
the future maritin-;? strength cf the Atiarcic side 
of the Union, directed by wn indiss^ohib'e commn- 
nity of interest as one ?u,t:c}:. — Any o'lier tenure 
hy which the West can hold this essential ad van- 
Is ge, whether derive-d from its ov/n separate 
tirengtb, or from an apostate and Uiinalural ccn- 



CeneraJ Ceorge JVas?i'mgio7t. 1 55 

riexion with any foreign power, must be instrlnsi- 
caliy precarious. 

While then every part of our country thus feels 
an iramediate and particular interest in Union, 
all the parts combined cannot fail to find in the 
United mass of means and efforts greater strength, 
g-eater re-ource, proportionably greater security 
from external danger, a less frequent interruption 
of their peace by foreignn nations ; and what is 
of inestimable value ! they must derive from Un- 
ion an exempnon from those broils and wars be- 
tween themselves, which so frequently afflict 
neighboring countries, not tied together by the 
sam:.' government ; which their own rivalships 
alone would be sufficient to produce, but which 
opposite foreign alliances, attachments and in- 
trigues would simulate and embitter. — Henco 
likewise they will avoid the iiecessity of those 
Over grown military establishments, which under 
any form of government are inauspicious to liber- 
ty, and which are to be regarded as particularly 
hostile to Republican Liberty ; in this sense, it ii:f 
that vour Union ought to be considered as a main 
prop or your liberty, and tkat the love of the one 
ought to endear to you the preservation of the 
other. 

These considerations speak a pertuasive lan- 
guage to every reflecting and virtuous mind, and 
exhibit the continuance oftlic Union as a primary' 
object of patriotic de.- ire. — ]s there a doubt wheth- 
er a com.mon governaient can embrace so large a 



iG6 B'wgrr^/uccJ McnioWs c.f 

£i here .^— Let exper?«?nce ?oTve it. To listen ^a 
i;ieie speouuttioii in ^u^h a case were criminal. 
— Wg arc auLh^riz^d to ':?p;: *hat a proper organ- 
izai'cjji of the whole, witii vhe xuxliiitry agency of 
governiYiOuts for the respective sub-divisions, viil 
^liM'i a h?<ppy is'sue to tlie pxperimeiit. 'Tij 
vveil worth a fair and full experimeii*'. With such 
powerful and obvious motives to Union, alTccting 
all parts of onr country, while experience shall not; 
have demonstrated its impracticability, there will 
always be reason to distrust the patriotism of 
those, who, in any quarter, may endeavour to 
weaken its bands. 

In contemplating the causes -which may dis- 
turb our nnion, it occurs as matter of serious con- 
cern, that any ground should have been fiirnished 
for characterising parties by Geogrophlcd discrimi- 
nitlon-;, •' Ncrthtr.i and Sout/hrtiy Alant'ic and W^es- 
■fern ;" whence desigaing men may endeavour to 
excite a belief, that there is a real diiTcrence of lo- 
oal interests and views. One of tiie expedients of 
wrty to acqnire iniluenne, wilhin particular dis- 
tricts, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of 
other districts. You cannot shield yourselves too 
much against the iealoasie^ and hcart-burning=f 
v/hich spring from these misrepre:-eutat ions: tiiey 
tcsid to render alien to each other those who ought 
t') be bound to;;?t!icr by fraternal affection. The 
inhabitants of our western country have lately bad 
an uscuil lesson on this head : they have seen, in 
tlic iiegociation by the executive, and in tlie 



Genera! Gccrg; Ii\uhh?gtcn. 1 6y 

iinui>"n <Mi.- latificatior. I}' tlio 5'eririt?„ of tlr? trea- 
ty v/itli Sj'ain, .iikI ir. Il>e njiiveri^al ?ali;-;KJct"on 
- tViat event, t!^roi;ghrut tlie United St;it€f, a do- 
ve proof how unrounded v> c-e the j?ui;p}oioi;S 
propogated anicng tbeiii, of the policy In th.e ^en- 
rral government and in tl:e Atlantic craves nri- 
friendiy to their ip.tercsts in regard to the Iii'^" 
sissippi : tliey have been w itiieKses to the formation 
cf tvvo treaties, that with Great-l^.ritairs end that 
\vith Spain, uhtch secure to them every thirg 
they could desire, in respect to our foreign rela- 
tions, towards confinining their prosperity. Will 
it not be their wisdom to rely for the preeervation 
of these advantages on th.e Un}on by vvh"ch they 
were procured : Will they not henceforth be deaf 
to tho<^e advisers, if siKdi there ar.^, \v\}0 v.'oi)!i] 
fever them from their brethren f.i.d connect thcvn 
with abens ? 

To the efficacy and pcnr.anency of ycnr union, 
a government for the wliole is ind^'^'Cnrable. — 
Ko ah'iances, liowever strict, between tjie jarts, 
can be an adequate substitute; they must inevita- 
bly experience the infractions and interruptions 
which all arnances, in ail times, liave cxpcrirr.ced^ 
Sensible of this mon;entOTig tru^h., yon have im- 
proved upon your firii <■ fay, by the idciption of a 
constitution of government bitter caicujated th?n 
your former K;r an iijtijnate einior^, and (or the ef- 
ficacious management of youv comiron concerns. 
This government, the of^:sprinr:' of our ovn choice, 
ufriniluenced an<iu, ! ?[.t'.:i upon full invcs- 



1 G3 BloPYopJiiCtu ManQhs cf 

tigation, and mature deliberation, completely free 
in its principles, in the distribution of its powers, 
uniting securing with energ}', and, containing 
within itself a pro\"i«ion for its own airit^ndment, 
has a just claim to your confidence and your sup- 
port. Respect for its authority', compliance with 
its laws, acquiescerce in its measures, are duties 
enjoined by the fundamental maxims cf true Lth- 
erty. The basis of our political system is tl\e 
right of the people to make and to alter their con- 
stitution of government ; but, the constitution 
which at any time exists, till charged by an 
explicit and authentic act of the whole people, 
is sacredly obligatory upon all. The very idea 
of the power and the right of the people to es- 
tablish government, presupposes the du^y of ev- 
Q'cy individual to obey the established gavern- 
ment. 

All obstructions to the ryeoution cf the laws, 
?.ll combinations and associa^.ons, under whatever 
plausible character, with real design to direct, ccn- 
troui, counteract, or awe the regular delibera- 
tions and action cf the constituted authorities, 
are destructive of this fundamental principle, 
■ ^nd of fatal tendency.- They serve to organize 
faction, to give it an artificial and e>traordinary 
force ; to put in the place of the delegated uill of 
the nation, the will of a party, often a small but 
artful ai'.d enterprising minority of the comm.uni- 
ty ; and according to trhe alternate triumphs of 
diirerent pr^rties, to make the public adminis. 



General George JVasTiingtcn. 1 09 

tratlon the mirror of the ill concerted and incon- 
gruous projects of faction, rather than llie or- 
gan of consistent and wholesome plans digested 
by common cotmcils, and modiiied by mutual in- 
terests. 

However combinations or associations of the a- 
T^ove description may now and then answer pop- 
ular ends, they are likely in the course of time and 
things to become potent engines, by which cun- 
ning, ambitious and unprincipled men will be en- 
abled to subvert the power of the people, and to 
usurp for themselves the reins of government ; 
desiroyir.g afterws^ds the very engines which 
have lifted them to unjust dominion. 

Towards the preservation of your governm- n- , 
and tiiC permanency of your present happy st .ic, 
it is requisite, not only that you steadily discran- 
tenance irregular oppositions to its ackncwr Ij,-;- 
cd authority, but also that you resist with .i:e 
the spirit of innovation upon the principles \\ y- 
ever specious the pretexts. One method of :iS- 
sault may be to efTcct in the forms of the con 
stitution alterations which will impair the energ) 
of the system, and that to undermine v^hat can^ 
not be directly overthrown. In all the chang- 
es to which you may be invited, remember that 
time and habit are at least as necessary to fix 
the true character of governments, as of o^ her 
huma,u institutions ; that experience is the surest 
standard, by which to test the real tendency of 
the existing constitution of a country j that faciii« 



I TO Ijlograpfiical Msniolrs of 

\y oliange? upon tlie crcxllt of mere hypothesis 
a'li opinion, and remember, ei-peclaMy, that for 
tihe efficient management o\' joiir common inter- 
<.^ct, in a country far extensive as ours, a f^overn- 
ment of as much vigour as is consistent with the 
perfect security of liberty, is indispensable. Lib- 
erty itself will find in such a government, with 
powers propsriy distributed and adjusted, its sur- 
est guardian. It is indeed Httle else than a name 
where the government is too feeble to withstand 
the enterprises of faction, to confine each mejnber 
of the society within tlie limits prescribed by th« 
laws, and so mrintain all in the secure and Iran- { 
r! lil enjoyments of the rights of person and prop- 
:fy. 

T have already intimated to you the danger o 
lies in the state, with a particular reference tof 
founding of them on geographical discrimina- 
1j. Let mo no v/ take a more comprehensive: 
. :c\v, and warn you in the most solemn m:;nner 
a f^ainst the baneful effects 01 the spirit of party, j 
generally. 

'"^he spirit, iinfjrtunately, is inseps.rable fromi 
nature, having its root in the strongest pas- 
s of the human mind. It exists under dlffer- 
shapes in all governments more or less stifley, 
;rou!ed, or repressed ; but in those of the {K)p- 

■ form, it is seen in its greatest rankncs.3, and is 
v their worst enemy. 

-he *'lernate domination of one faction ove!; 



General Gcorpe Wo.iJi:n2tG7i. ITl 



another, sharpened by the qjirlt of revenge, na- 
tural to party ditseiition, which in diffi-rent agos 
and countries has perpetrated the most liarrid e- 
normitie;s is itself a frightfiil despotism. — But this 
leads at length to a more formal and permanent 
deb:potism. The disorders and miseries, which 
generally result, gradually incHne the minds of 
2nen to seel; security and repose in the ab;;olute 
power of an individual: and sooner or later the 
chief of some prevailing faction more able or more 
fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposi. 
tionto the purposes of his own elevation, on the- 
ruins of public iibeity. 

Without looking forward to an extremity of 
this kind, (which nevertheless ought not to be 
entirely out of sight) the common and continual 
mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to 
make it the intere;.'t and duty of a wise people to 
dibcourage and restrain it. 

It serves al'.vays to distract the public counsels, 
and enfeeble tlie public administration. It agit- 
ates the community with ill founded j^alouses and 
false alarms ; kindles the animosity (fone part a- 
gainst another ; foments occasionally riot and i;i- 
surrection. It opens the doofr to foreign inilufence 
and corruption, which find a facilitated access to 
the government itself, through the channels of 
party passions. Thus the policy and the v/ill of 
one country are subjected to the policy and will of 
^mother. 

There is an opinion that parties in free conn- 



172 Jjkgraphical Memoirs of 

tries are useful checks upon the administration 
of the government, and serve to keep alive the 
spirit of liberty. This, within certain limits, is 
probably true ; and in governments of «, mo- 
narchical cast, patriotism m.ay look with indul- 
gence, if not with favour upon the spirit of party. 
But in those of the popular character, in govern- 
ments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be en- 
couraged. From their natural tendency, it is cer- 
tain there will always be enough of that spirit for 
every salutary purpose. And there being constant 
danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force 
of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A 
fire not be quenched ; it demands an uniform 
vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest 
instead of warming, it should consume. 

It is important likev/ise, that the habits of 
thinking in a free country should inspire caution, 
in th e entrusted with its administration, to con-. \ 
fine themselves within their respective constitu- 
tional spheres, avoiding in the exercise of their> 
powers of one department to encroach upon an- 
other. The spirit of encroachment tends to con- 
solidate the powers of all the departments in one, 
ani ti\as to create, whatever the form of govern- 
ment , a real despotism. A just estimate of that 
love of power, and proneness to abuse it, which 
predominates in the human heart, is sufficient to 
satisfy us of the truth of this position. The ne- 
cessity of reciprocal checks in tlie exercise of polit- 
ical power, by dividing and distributing it into dif- 



GencYal George Washhigicn, 173 

ferent depositories, and constituting each the guardi- 
an of the public weal against invasions by the other?, 
has been evinced by experiments ancient and mod- 
ern : some of them in onr country and under cur 
Q\vr\ eyes. To preserve them must be as necessa- 
ry as to institute them. Jf, in the opinion of the 
people, tlie distribution or modification of the con- 
stitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let 
it be corrected by an amendment in a way which 
the constitution designates. But let there be no 
change by usurpation ; for though this, in ono in- 
stance, may be the inbtrumcnt oi gc-od, it is the 
customary weaT)on by which free governments 
are destroyed. The precedent must alwaj's great- 
ly overbalance in permanent evil, any partial or 
transient benefit which the use can at any time 
yield. 

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to 
political prosperity, Religion and Morality-^uc in- 
dispensable supports. In vain would thn; man 
claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labour 
to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, 
these firmest props of the duties of men and citi- 
zens. The mere politician, equally with the pious 
man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A vol- 
ume could not trace all their connexions with pri- 
vate and public felicity. Let it simply bea:-krd, 
where is the security for property, for reputation, for 
life^ if the sense of religious obligation decert the 
oaths, which are the instruments of investigation \n 
courts of justice ? And let us with cuuticn in. 



lli JBiograpfi'icat Memoirs of 

dulge the supposition, that morality can be main; 
talned without religion. Whatever may be con- 
ceded to the influence of refined education ort 
minds of peculiar structure ; reason and experience 
both forbid us to expect that national morality 
Can prevail in exclusion of religious principle- 

'Tis substantially true, that virtue or morality 
U a necessiiry spring of popular government. The 
rule indeed extends with more or less force to ev- 
ery species of free government. Who that h a 
rincere friend to it, can look with indifference up- 
on attempts to siiake the foundation of the fa^ 
brie. 

Pros'note, then, as an object of prim^ary impor- 
tance, institutions for the general diffusion of 
knov/ledge. In proportion as the structure of a 
government gives force to public opinion, it is es- 
sential that public opinion slsoald be enlightened. 

As a very important source of strength and se- 
curity, clierish public credit. One method of 
preserving it, is to use it as sparingly as possible ; 
avoiding; the occasions of expense by cultivating 
peace ; but remembering also, that tim.ely dis- 
bursements to repel it ; avoiding likewise the ac- 
fcumulation of debt, not only by shunning occa- 
sions of expense, but by vigorous exertions in time 
of peace to discharge the debts which ur^a-^oida- 
ble wars may have occasioned, n-it ungeneroutly 
throwing upon posterity the burthen which we 
ourselves oii2,ht to bear. The execution of these 



General Gecrge U'ashlv^i 



on. 



Maxims belongs to your representatives ; but it 
ib' necessary that public opinion should co-oper- 
ate. 

To facilitate them the performance of their du^ 
ty, it is essential that you should practically bear 
iji mind, that towards the payment of debts there 
must be revenue ; that to have revenue, there 
must be taxes ; that no taxes can be devised that 
are not more or less inconyenleut and unpleasant ; 
that the intrinsic embarassment inseparable from 
the selection of the proper objects, (v/hich is al- 
ways a choice of diihculties) ought to be a decl, 
sive motive for candid construction of the conduct 
of the government in making it, and for the spirit 
of acquiescence in tlie measures for obtaining reve- 
i^ue, which the public exigences may at any time 
dibtate. 

Observe good faith and justice towards all na- 
tions : cultivate peace and harmony with all ; 
religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and 
can it be, that good policy does not equally en- 
join it r It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, 
'^w^^ at no distant period, a great ration, to give 
to mankind t be magnanimous and too novel ex- 
ample ofa people alv/ays g'lided by an exaltcA 
justice and benevolence. Who can doubt, that ia 
the course of time and things, the fruits of such a 
plan would richly repay any temporary advanta- 
ges which might be lost by a steady adherence to 
it f — (yi>n it bs that IVoyiderise has not connect- 



jl76 BiBgrafUcal Memoirs of 

cd the permanent felicity of a nation with its vir- 
tue ? The experiment at least, is recommended 
by every sentiment which ennobles huma-u na- 
ture. — Alas 1 is it rendered impossible by its vi- 
ces? 

In the execution of such a plan, nothing is 
more essential than that permanent, inveterate 
antipathies against particular nations, and passion- 
ate attachments for others, should be excluded ; 
and that in the place of them, just and amicable 
feelings towards all should be cultivated. The 
nation which indulges towards another an habit- 
ual hatred, or an habitual fondness, is in some de- 
gree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or its 
affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it 
astray from its duty and its interest. Antipathy 
in one nation against another, disposes each more 
readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of 
flight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and 
intractable, when accidental or trifling occasions 
cf dispute occur. 

Hence, frequent collisions, obstinate, envenom- 
ed andb'oody contests. — The nation prompted hy 
iil-wil land resentaient, sometimes impels to war 
the government, contrary to the best calculations 
of policy. The government sometimes participates 
in the national propensity, and adopts, through 
passion, what reason would reject ; at other times 
it makes the animosity of the nation subservient 
to projects of hostility, instigated by pride, ajnbi- 



General George JVasAhrgfon, 1 7T 

lion,"'and other sinister and pernicious inotiv«&. 
The peace often, sometimes perhaps the liberty 
of nations, iias been the victim. 

So likewise a passionate attachment of one na- 
tion for another- produces a variety of evils. Sym- 
pathy for the favorite nation, facilitating the illu- 
sion of an imaginary common interest, in cases 
where no real common interest exists, and infus- 
ing into one the enmities of the other, betrays the 
former into a participation in the quarrels and 
wars of the latter, without adequate inducement 
or justification. It leads also to concessions to 
the favourite nation of privileges denied to others*^ 
which is apt doubly to injure the nation making 
the concessions; by unnecessarily parting wdth 
what ought to have been retained ; and by ex- 
citingjealousy, iil-will, and a disposition to retali- 
ate, in the parties from whom equal privileges 
are withheld : And it gives to ambitious, cor- 
rupted or deluded citizens (who devote themselves 
to the favourite nation] facility \o betray or sacri- 
fice the interests of their own country, without 
cdi !m, sometimes evtn with popularity ; gilding 
with the appearances of a virtuous sense of obli- 
f at'.ons, and commendable deference for public o- 
pinion, or a laudable zeal for public good, the base 
or foolish compliances o"" ambition, corruption or 
infatuation. 

As avenues to foreign influence in innumera- 
ble ways, such attachments are particularly alarm> 



178 ^Dgr{ipMcaI MemoWs of 

ing to the enlightened and independent patriot, 
— How many opportunities, do they afford to 
tamper with domestic factions, to practice the arts 
of seduction, to mislead public opinion, to influence 
or awe the public councils ! Such an attachment' 
of a small or weak, towards a gn-eat and powerful 
nation, dooms the former to be the satellite of th*e 
other. 

Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence. 
(T conjure you to believe me, fellow-citizens) the 
jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly a- 
wake ; since history and experience prove, that 
foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of 
republican government. But that jealousy to bd 
useful must be impartial ; else it becomes the in- 
strument of the very influence to be avoided, in- 
stead of a defence against it. Excessive partiality 
for One foreign nation, and excessive dislike of an- 
other, cause those whom they actuate to see the 
danger only on c , side, and serve to veil and e- 
ven to second the arts of influence on the other, 
lieal patriots, who may resist the intrigues of the 
favourite, are liable to become ssspected and ofli- 
ous; while its tools and dupes u:;urp the applause 
and confidence of the people to surrender their in- 
terests. 

The great rule of conduct for ns, in regard to 
foreign nations, is in extending our commercial 
relations, to have with them as little pvlitlcal con- 
iij?2tipn as possible. So far as we ha^^ already 



Gpierat George JVashhigfon, 1 T9 

formed engagements, let them be fulfilled withv 
perfect good faith, — Here let us stop. 

Euiro{.)e has a set of primary interests, which to 
us have none, or a very remote relation. — Hence 
she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the 
causes o which are essentially foreign to our con- 
cerns. Heiice, therefore, it must be unwise in us 
to implicate ourselves, by artificial ties, in the or- 
dinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary 
combinations or collisions of her friendships, or en- 
mities. 

Our detached and distant situation invites 
and enables us to pursue a different course. If we 
remain one people, under an efficient govern- 
ment, the period is not far otf, when we may- 
defy material injury from external annoyance , 
v/hen we may take such an attitude as will cau?e 
the neutrality, we may at any time resolve upon, 
to be scrupulously respected ; when belligerent 
nations, under the impossibility of making acqui- 
sitions upon us, will not lightly hazard the givirig 
us provocation ; when we may choose peace or 
war, as our interest, guided by justice, shali coun- 
sel. 

Why foreg'o the advantages of so peculiar a 
situation? Why quit your own to stand upoit 
foreign ground ? Why, by interweaving out 
de?tiny with that of any part of Europe, entan- 
gle our peace and prosperity in the toils of Euro- 
pean ambition, rivalship, ijit^restj, louinour or ca*" 
price I 



180 BlogratJiical Memoln cf 

'Tis our true policy to steer clear of permai^enf | 
alliances, with any portion of the foreign world ; 
so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it : 
for let me not be understood as capable of patron- . 
izing infidelity to existing engagements. I hold 
the maxim no less applicable to public than pri- 
vate affairs, that honest)* is always the best poli- 
cy. I repeat it, therefore, let those engagements 
be observed in their genuine sense. But, in my 
opinion, it is necesbary, and would be unwise, to 
extend them. 

Taking care always to keep ourselves, by suita- 
"ble establishments, on a respectable defensive pos- 
ture, we may safely trust to temporary aiiiantes 
for extraordinary emergencies. 

Harmony and liberal intercourse with all na- 
tions, are recommended by policy, hv-manity 
and interest. Bnt even our comm.ercial policy 
should hold an equal and impartial iiand ; neither 
seeking nor granting exclusive favours or prefer- 
ences ; consulting the natural course of things ; 
diffusing and dlverfirying, by gentle means, the 
streams of commerce, but forcing nothing, estab- 
lishing, with powers so disposed, in order to give 
trade a stable course, to define the rights of our 
merchants, and to enable the government to sup- 
port them ; conventional rules of intercourse, the 
best that present circurmtances and mutual opin- 
ion will permit, but temporary, and fiable to be 
from time to time abandoned or varied, as expericiice 
and circuiii^tances shall dictate -, constantly keej;^ 



General Gecrve Wasliinrrton, 181 



ing in view, that 'tis folly in one nation tp lock 
for disinterested favours from another ; tha* it 
must pav with a portion of its independence for 
whatever it may accept under that character ; 
that by such acceptance it ma)' place itseli ;n tlio 
condition of having given equivalents for nou.ia- 
al favours, and yet ot being reiroaihed with in- 
gratitude for not giving more. There cari he no 
greater error than to expect, or calculate iipoi re- 
al fitvours from nation to nation. *Tis an illu- 
sion which experience must cure, which a just 
pride o'lght to discard. 

\n offering to you, my country men, these 
counsels of an old and auectiouate friend. I dare 
not hope they will m.ake the strong and last- 
ing impression I couln wish ; that they will con- 
troul the usual current of the passions, or pre- 
vent our nation from n^niiing the course which 
has hitherto marked the destiiiy of nations : But, 
if 1 may even flatter myself that they may be 
productive of some partial bejiefit, some occa- 
sional good ; that they may now and then recur 
to moderate the fury of party spirit, to warn a- 
gainst the mischiefs of foreign intrigue, to guard 
against the impostures of pretended patriotism j 
this hope will be a full recompence for the solic- 
itude of your welfare, by which they have been 
dictated. 

How far in the discharge of my official duties^ 
I have been guided by tiie principles that they 
Jiave been delineated, the public records i^nd otl^ 
V 



i82 Biograpliical Memoirs of 

evidences of my conduct must witness to you 
and the A^orld- To myself, the assurance of my 
own c nscience is, that 1 have at least believed 
myself to be guided by them. 

In relation to the still subsisting war in Eu- 
rope, my proclamation of the 22d of April, 1793 
is the index to my plan. Sanctioned by your 
approving voice and by that of your Representa- 
tives in both Houses of Congress, the spirit of 
that measure has continually governed me ; un- 
influenced by any attempts to deter or divert me 
from it. 

After deliberate examination with the aid of 
the best lights f could obtain, I was well satis- 
fied that our country, under all the circumstances 
of the case, had a right to take, and was bound 
In doty and interest, to take a neutral position. 
Having taken it, I determined, as far as should 
depend 'upon me, to maintain it, with modera- 
tion, perseverance and firmness. 

The considerations which respect the right to 
hold this conduct, it is not necessary on this oc- 
casion to detail. I will only observe, that ac- 
cording to my understanding of the matter, that 
right, so far from being denied by any of the bel- 
iigerent powers, has been virtually admitted by 
all. 

The duty of holding a neutral conduct may be 
inferred, without any thing more, from the ob- 
ligations which justice and humanity impose oa 



General George WasJitngion, 183 

every nation, in cases in which it is free to act, 
to maintain inviolate th€ relations of peace and 
amity towards other nations. 

The inducemettts of interest for observing that 
conduct will best be referred to your own reflec- 
tions and experience. With me, a predominant 
motive has been to endeavour to gain time to 
our country to settle and mature its yet recent in- 
stitutions, and to progress without interruption, 
to that degree of strength and consistency, which 
Ss necessary to give it, humanly speaking, the 
command of its own fortunes. 

Though in reviewing the incidents of my ad- 
ministration, I am unconscious of intentional er- 
ror •• I am, nevertheless, too sensible of my de- 
fects not to think it probable that I may have 
committed many errors. What€%'er they may be, I 
fervently beseeth the Almighty to avert or nvtigate the 
evils to nvhich they may tend, J shell also carry 'with mt 
the hope that my country nvill never cease to vie^ them 
ivith indulgence ; and that after forty Jive years of my life 
dedicated to its service, ivith an upright zecd, the faults 
of incompetent abilities nvill he consigned to oblivion, as 
ttyselfmiist soon be to the mansions of rest. 

Relying on its kindness in this, as in other 
things, and actuated by that fervent love to- 
wards it, which is so natural to a man, who 
views in it the natural soil of himself and his 
progenitors for several generations; I antici. 
patQ, with pleasing expectation, that retreat, in 



184 Blographlcai Memoirs sf 

wh ich I promise myself to realize, without al- 
loy the sweet enjoyments of partaking, in the 
midst of my fellow-citizens, the benign influence 
of good laws under a free government ; the ever- 
favorite object of my heart, and the happy re- 
ward as i trust, of our mutual cares, labours and 
dangers. 

G. WASmNGTON* 

United States, 
\1th September, 11^6. 



On the 7th of December, 1796, President 
Washlngtor? delivered his last speech to the rep- 
resentatives of the people at the opening of the 
second session of the fourth Congress. We regret 
that our contracted limits wih not. permit of in- 
serting it verbatim. In this address he communi- 
cate: inforcnation respecting the measures taken for 
carrying into effect treaties with the Indian na- 
tior s, Gf'at 'ritain, Spain, and i\igiers. lie HaC* 
wise informs, tliat measures are in 0|jeration for ef- 
fecting treaties with the Regencies of Tunis and 
Tripoli. He wishe:; the United States to look to 
the means, and to set about the gradual creation 
of a navy ; so that a future war of Europe may 
not find our commerce in the same unprotected 
state in which it was found by the present. 

He then proceeds to recommend the establish- 
ment of certain branches of maniifacture on pub- 



General George Washington, 1S5 

lie account ; particularly those nvhkk are of a nature 

essential to the fiirn'tshtng and eqwfp'ing of the public 
force in time ofivar. 

He judiciously recommends the institution of a 
Board of Agriculture, composed of proper char-. 
acters, charged with collecting and diffusing in- 
formation, and enabled, b}' premiums and small 
pecimiary aids, to encourage and assist a spirit of 
discovery and improvement. Experience has 
proved this to be a cheap instrument of im- 
immense national benefit. Ke then recalls the 
attention of Congress, to a subject, he had before 
proposed to their consideration, the expediency of 
establishing a national university, and also a mili- 
tary academy. He points out as motives to the 
institution of a national university, the assimila- 
tion of the principle?, opinions, and manners of 
our countrymen, by the common education of a 
portion of our youth from every quarter, and re- 
marks that the more homogeneous our citizens 
can be made in these particulars, the greater wil! 
be the prospect of our permanent union : and that 
a primary object should be the education of our 
youth in the science of GOVERNMENT. Jn 
a republic, what species of knowledge can be e- 
qually important ? and what duty can be more 
pressing on its Legislature, than to patronize a 
plan for communicating it to those who are to be 
the future guardians of the liberties of the coun= 
try ? 

P 2 



186 Bicgrcphicol Memoirs of 

The institution of a military academy, lie also 
observes, is recommended by cogent reasons.— 
However pacific, says 'le. th^j f^eneral policy of a 
nation may be, it ouoht never to be without an 
aderjoate stock of military knowledge for emer- 
gencies. 

The J'oII*wing important parag:raph is verba- 
tim : " Thff coropersat'On to the ofiicers of the 
"United '-states, in %raiious instances, and in none 
more than in respect to the most important sta- 
tion?, appear to call for legislative revision. The 
consequence? of a de'ec'.ive provision are of serious 
import to the government. If private wealth i?j 
to supply the defect of public contribution, it will 
greatly contract the sphere, within which the se- 
lection of cbarhoter for office i to be made, and 
■will proportionab'y diminish the probability of a 
choice of men able, as weil as uprigijt. Besides, 
that it would br repugnant to the vital principles 
of our goverhm'.^Dt, virtually to exclude from pub- 
lic trusts, talentb and virtue, unless accompanied 
by wealth.'* 

The President tf-en expresses his regret at the 
nnpleasant circiu.'>;ances which' have occured re- 
lative to the Frenc'i republic ; his ardent wish be- 
ing to maintain cordial harmony, as far as is con- 
sistent with tlie r'giits and honour of our coun- 
tr>'. 

The House of Representatives he informed, that 
the revenues of the United State continue in a 
state of progressive improvement ; and are invited 



General George Washington* ISt 

to take such further measures as will ascertain, to 
our country, the speedy extinguishment of the 
public debt. 

He then concluded his address to both Houses 
of Congress, in the following words : *' My solici- 
tude to see the militia of the United States placed on 
an efficient establishment, has been so often and so 
ardently expressed, that J shall but barely recal 
the subject to your view, on the present occasion 
at the same time, I shall ?ubmit to your enquiry, 
whether our harbours are yet sufficiently se- 
cured." 

" The situation in which I now stand, for the 
last time, in the midst of the representatives of 
the people of the United States, naturally recalls 
the period, when the administration of the pres- 
ent form of government commenced ; and I can- 
not omit the occasion to congratulate you, and my 
country, on the success of the experiment ; nor to 
repeat my fervent prayer to the Supreme Ruler of 
the Universe, and Sovereign Arbiter of Nalions, 
that his providential care, may still be extended to 
the United States ; that thf virtue and happiness 
of the people may be preserved ; and that the gov* 
ernment which they have instituted for the pro- 
tection of their liberties may be perpetual.'' 

On Saturday the 4th o March, 1797, Mc Ad^ 
atns^ Esq. who wan elected the successoi- of Pre{u 
dent IVnih'mgtonj attended the Senate and Rt-pre- 
seatWes of tlie United States, and took his oatl\ 



186 Biegmpitca! Memom of 

of oflRce, according to the directions of the constu 
tution. Ttie ceremony afforded a spectacle of high 
satisfaction and delight to every genuine republi- 
can. To beiiold a fellow-citizen, raised by the 
voice of the people, to be the first magistrate of a 
free nanon, and to behold at the same time George 
Washlrgton, who lateiy filled the presidential chair, 
attending the inauguration of his successor in of- 
fice, as a private citizen, beautifully exemplifying 
sublime simplicity and excellence of republican 
government. 

^ The last official aet of President Washingtcfty is 
a letter to the Secretary of State, dated March 3, 
1797. It respects certain forged letters, which 
were pubhshed in the years 1777 and 1796, and 
obtruded on the public as his. They were pub- 
lished at the two most critical periods of his life, 
with the view of striking at the integrity of his 
mo ives, of wounding his character, and of deceiv- 
ing the people. At the conclusion, therefore of 
his public employments, he deemed is a duty 
wh ch he owed to himself, to his country, and to 
truth, to detail the circumstances, and solemnly to 
declare, that the letters (the dates of which he re- 
cites) are base forgeries, were never written by 
him, and that he never saw or heard of them, 
until they appeared in print. During the pe- 
riod in which he held the supreme comniand of 
the army, and his civil administration, the purity 
«f his own mind prevented him from contradict- 



General George JVashmgton* 189 

ing the falshood by any public declaration ; but, 
upon his retiring to private life, and not knowing 
how soon a more i-erious event might take place, 
he made this public declaration, and requested 
that it might be deposited in the office of the 
department of state, as a testimony of the truth 
to the present generation and to posterity. 

On the 22d of March, 1797, General Wash- 
ington took farewell of all public employment, 
and left Philadelphia for his estate at Mount Ver- 
non, in every town through which he passed on 
his way, he received the grateful and aflectionate 
addrccses wh.ch were -o justly due to his merits 
from an enlightened and grateful people. 

Having thus amply described the .lugust IVash* 
ington in his public character and official capacity^ 
suffer us, for a moment, to follow him in private, 
and take a view of him in the character of a 
plain citizen, in h.s rural residence at Mount Ver- 
non. 

The virtuous simplicity which distinguished 
the private life of General Washington, though 
less known than the dazzling splendor of his mili- 
tary atchievements, is not less edifying in exam«! 
pie, or worthy the attention of his countrymen. 
The conspicuous character he has acted on the 
theatre of huriian affairs, the uniform dignity 
with which he sustained his part amidst difficul- 
ties of the most discouraging nature, and the 
glory of having arrived through them at the hour 



190 Bhgrafhical Memoirs of 

of triumph, have made many official and ilte- 
rary persons on both sides of the ocean, ambi- 
tious of a correspondence with him. These 
correspondencies unavoidably engrossed a great 
portion of his time ; and the commnnications 
contained in them, combined with the nume* 
rous periodical Publications and News-papea^s 
which he perused, rendered him, as it were, the 
focus of political hiteJIigence for the miv nvorld. Nor 
were his conversations with well informed men 
^ less conducive to bring him acquainted with the 
various events which happened in the different 
countries of the globe. Every foreigner of dis- 
tinction, who travelled in /America, made it a 
point to visit him. Members of Coiigress and 
other dignified personages seldom passed his hous^ 
^without calling to pay their respects. As anoth- 
er source of information, it may be mentioned, 
that many literary producjions were sent to him 
annually by their authors in Europe ; and that 
there is scarcely one work written in America, on 
any art, science, or subject, which did not seek 
his protection, or which was not offered to him 
as a token of gratitude. Mechanical inventions 
were freqiiently submitted to him for his approba- 
tion, and natural curiosities presented to him for 
his investigation. But the multiplicity of episto- 
lary applications often on the remains of some 
business which happened when he was in office, 
sometimes on subjects foreign to his situation, 
frivplous in their nature, and intended merely t© 



General George Washington, 191 

gratify the ranity of the writers by drawing 
answers from him, were truly distressing and al- 
most incredible. His benignity in answering, 
perhaps increased the number. Did he not hus- 
band every moment to the best advantage, it 
would not have been in^his power to notice the 
vast variety of subjects that claimed his atten- 
tion. 

In his manner of living he was extremely re- 
gular, temperate and industrious. He rose win- 
ter and summer at the dawn of day, generally 
read or wrote sometime before breakfast : break- 
fasted about seven o'clock on Indian hoecake and 
tea, and often rode immediately to his different 
farms, and remained with his labourers till a little 
after two o'clock, when he returned ; at three he 
dined, commonly on a single dish, and drank 
from half a pint to a pint of Madeira wine, this, 
with one small dish of tea which he took half an 
hour before the setting of the sun, constituted his 
whole sustenance till the next day. His table, 
however, was always furnished with flegance 
and exuberance, but was void of p6mp ; and 
whether he had company or not, he remained an 
hour at table in familiar conversation. His tem- 
per was of a serious cast, and his countenance 
carried the impression of thoughtfalness : yet he 
perfectly relished a pleasant story, an unaffected 
sally of wit, or a burlesque description. After 
dinner he applied himself to business, and about 



J 92 Biographical Memoirs of 

nine retired to rest ; but when he had company 
he politely attended upon them till they wished 
to withdraw. — Agriculture was his favourite em- 
ployment, he made observations on the produce 
of lands, and endeavoured to throw new light 
upon the business of the farmer ; linen and 
woollen clothes were manufactured under his 
roof, and order and economy were established 
in all his departments, both within and without 
doors. Mrs. Washington presided over the whole, 
and united to the qualities of an excellent far- 
mer's wife, that simple dignity which ought to 
characterise a woman whose husband has acted 
so distinguished a part on the public theatre. — • 
Su -h is the history of the private life of this great 
character. 

In 1798, the unparrallelled treatment which 
the American ministers received at Paris from the* 
republic of France, left little ground to hope for 
any amicable accommodation with that republic, 
in consequence of which, the military forces of the 
United States were greatly augmented, and the 
Preiident, with the advice of the Senate, appoint, 
ed George JV(uhingtoK^ IJicutenant Gaieral and Ccm- 
mander in Chief of all the armies raised or to he raised 
hy the United States, this wise and judicious ap- 
pointment was attended with the happiest eflfect, 
the virtue of a general so v^ell experienced in war, 
established the national dignity and independence, 
and inspired the citizens with enthusiasm. On 



General George WosJimgion. 193 

receiving the appointment, the General expressed 
a wish that it had fallen upon a man less advan- 
ced in years, and better qualified to encounter the 
vicissitudes of war, he recurred to his determina- 
tion of closing his life in retirement and peace, but 
the conduct of the directory of France towards our 
country, he said, " excited in his breast correspon- 
ding sentiments with the rest of his countrymen," 
in consequence of which, he accepted the appoint- 
ment with this reserve, that, *' he should not be 
called into the field, until the army was in a situ- 
ation to require his presence, or it became indis- 
pensable by the urgency of circumstances," he 
infor^ned the President, " he could not accept of 
finy emolument annexed to the appointment, 
before entering into a situation to incur ex- 
pense." 

He held this command, and contributed his ad- 
vice and assistance towards the arrangement and 
organization of the army until the i 4th of Decem- 
ber, 1799, when it pleased Divme Providence to 
remove him from this life ; he was in his 68th 
year, and i*i the enjojment of perfect health ; 
the disorder of which he died was an inflamma- 
tory sore throat, which proceeded from a slight 
cold*. 

" On Friday, the 13th, he rode out to -ie of 
his plantations, and was much wet by the rain, 
on returning. He was taken with the cnmp that 
fiight ; but from humanity to his servants and 

a 



194 BhgrapJitcai .otrs of 

tenderness to his physician, very unfortunately de- 
cUned sending for medical aid, until day-light on 
Saturday nmorning. 

" Before Dr. Craik arri\'ed at Mount Vernon, 
the General had been bled by one of his overseers. 
The doctor repeated the same immediately ; to 
whom the General observed, " he had sent for 
him too late ;" and seemed to have a presentiment 
of his dissolution ; Doctors Dick and Brown also 
attended. 

" As his respiration became difficult, he said 
calmly, " doctors^ I die hard.'''* But notwithstand- 
the excruciating agonies of his violent disease, he 
tranquilly asked se^'eral questions during the eve- 
ning. About fifteen minutes before he died, 
(which was between II and 12 o'clock, on Sat- 
urday night, the 14th of December) he said to 
Doctor Craik, " dzr*cr lukat h the clock ? hoiv long 
Gm I to continue in this s'ltunUon .?" The doctor an- 
swered, *' Not long, rfr." He then rejoined, with 
the firmest countenance imaginable, " I have n» 
fear, doctor, to die." 

Mrs. Washington was at the bed side with his 
family, and a number of domestics in the room. 
He would not wound their sensibility by taking a 
formal leave of any one. — At last his breathing 
grew shorter, he closed his eyes and mouth iv.th his onvn 
hands, and expired !— Thus did the last moments 
of this venerable man correspond with the whole 
tenor of his well-spent life. He died with perfect 



General George Washington^ 195^ 

resij^natiop to the will of Heaven, and in full pos- 
session o'' his reason, not a groan or complaint es- 
caped him ! 

His body was entombed, with solemn honour^ 
and funeral pomp, in the family vault, upon the 
estate of Mount Vernon, attended by the clergy, 
military, masonic brethren, and a numerous con- 
course of citizens. 

The melancholy intelligence of the death of 
General Washington, was every where received 
throughout the United Sta-^s. with sensations of 
cf sorrow and regret ; the houses of Congress for % 
period adjourned ; they condoled with the Presi- 
dent of the United States, on the loss our country 
had sustained in the death of her worthiest citi- 
zen, they went in mourning, and requested the 
President to issue his proclamation, recommending ' 
the citizens throughout the Union, to wear black 
crape on the left arin for thirty days ; all the. 
state assemblies followed the example : orders 
were issued from the war office, navy department, 
o5C. requesting the officers to wear crape on the 
left arm for six months, and the vessels of the na- 
vy to put on mourning for one week, by wearing 
their colours half mast high. 

Orders were issued by the direction of the Pres- 
ident of the United States, announcing to the army 
the death of its be'ovcJ ch. f and requested the mil* 
itary honours therein, specifying to be paid at the 
spveral stations of the army. 



196 Biograpfiical Meinoifs of 

Tlie Senate and house of Representatives of 
the United States, enacted <* that a marble 
monument be erected in the capltol in the city 
of Washington ; to the memory of General 
Washington : and that his family be requested 
to permit his body to be deposited under i . ; 
and that the monument be so designed as to 
commemorate the great military and politi.al 
events of his Ufe. That there be a funo al 
procession, and a public oralton delivered on the 
occasion. The above resolulion Mrs. Wa^-hing- 
ton assented, sacrificing h^r private v/ishes and 
individual feelings to the pisblic will. The pub- 
lic 'jrocession took place in Philadelphia, on 
Tharriay, December the 26th, the ceremony 
was judiciously conducted; perhaps there nevei* 
was a greater display of public mourn ng, iolem- 
iiity and respect, exhibited in the western hem- 
isphere ; the arraigements united every descrip- 
tion of public and privite character, civil and 
military ; the funeral service adapted with great 
felicity to the occasion, was pronounced by Bish- 
op White ; the deceased being of the episcopal 
church ; after ^vhich, General Lee, who vvas 
appointed by Congress for that purpose, delivered 
th^ funeral oration ; we shall not aitemr)t a re- 
prWorthis admirable eulogium, of which ths 
public are already possessed, convinced that it 
would suffer by the attempt. 

Having pursued this distinguished man through- 
out his public iUe and in his private retreat it on 



I 



General George Jfashhigton* 197 

iy now remains that we describe bis person, 
which bears a >ery great analogy to the qualifi- 
cations of his mind. 

General Washington was a tall well made man, 
rather large boned, and had a tolerable genteel ad- 
dress : his features were manly and bold, his eyes 
of a blush cast and very lively ; his hair a deep 
brown, his face rather long and marked with the 
small pox ; his complexion sun burnt and with- 
out much colour, and his countenance sensible, 
composed, and thoughtful ; there was a remarka- 
ble air of dignity about him with a striking de- 
gree of gracefulness : He had an excellent under- 
standing without much quickness ; was strictly 
just, vigilant, and generous ; an affectionate hus- 
band, a faithful friend, a father to the deserving ; 
gentle in his manners, in temper rather reserved ; 
a total stranger to religious prejudices, which 
have so often excited Christians of one denomin- 
tion to cut the throats of those of another ; in his 
morals irreproachable ; he was never known to 
exceed the bounds of the most rigid temperance 
in a word, all his friends and acquaintance uni- 
versally allow that no man ever united in his ov.^n 
person, a more perfect alliance of the virtues of a 
philosopher with the talents of a statesman and 
a general. Candour, sincerity, affability and sim- 
plicity seem to have been the striking features of 
his character. The best portraits ever taken of 
him, are those painted by the ingenious Mr, 
Stewart, of Germa?itown, and the best engraving 
a 2 ** ^ 



198 BhgrapkicaJ Meimm of 

is the large mezotinto done by M. Savage, of Phi'» 
iadelphia. 

Such is the life arid character of the raan^o 
whom America entrusted her important cause, 
and she has had every reason to be satisfied with 
her choice ; and most ungrateful would she 
be to the Great Disposer of human events, were 
she not to render him unremitting thanks for 
having provided her with such a citizen at such a 
crisis. 

Most nations have been favoured with some 
patriotic deliverer. — The Israelites had their Mo- 
&es ; Rome her Camillus ; Greece her Leonidas ; 
Sweden her Gustavus ; and England her Hamp- 
dens, her Russels, and her Sydneys ; but these il- 
lustrious heroes, tho' successful in preserving and 
defending, did not, like JVashiigton, form or estab- 
lish empires, which will, in all probability, be the 
refuge or asj^ him of vjrtue, banished from Europe 
by luxury and corruption. 



ABSTRACT 

OF THE LAST 

tVILL AND TESTAMENT oi 

N 

GEN. GEO : WASHINGTON. 



I, GEORGE WASHINGTON, citizen of tb® 
United States, do declare this my last Will and 
Testament, revoking all others : — Firsty All my 
debts are to be punctually and speedily paid, and 
the legacies herein bequeathed, are to be discharge. 
ed in the manner directed. 

Item, To my dearly beloved wife, Martha 
V/oshhigtr^t-.^ I bequeath my whole estate, real and 
personal, during her life, exce>»t such parts thereof 
as are hereafter otherwise disposed of. My im- 
proved lot in Alexandria, I give to her and her 
heirs forever, as also my boushold and kitchen fur- 
niture, with the liquors and groceries, which may 
^e on hand at the time of mv decease. 



( 200 ) 

Item, Upon the decease of my wife, I desire, 
that all the slaves which I hold of my onvn rights 
shall receive their freedom ; but the aged and in- 
firm, who are unable to support themselves, shall 
be comfortably clothed and fed by my heirs while 
they live, and such of the children as have no pa- 
rents, or whose parents are unable or unwilling to 
provide for them, shall be bound by the court un- 
til they arrive at the age of 25 years, upon condi- 
tions that they shall be taught to read, write, and 
be brought up to some useful occupation ; I ex- 
pressly forbid the sale, or transportation out of the 
state, of any of them, on any pretence whatsoev- 
er ; and I do solemnly enjoin my executors to see 
this clause respecting slaves religiously fulfilled. — 
To my Mulatto man, William, I give immediate 
freedom, and an annuity of 30 dollars during his 
life, or if he chooses to remain in the situation he 
now is, he shall be allowed the cloaths and vict- 
uals he has been accustomed to receive, and the a- 
bove 30 dollars beside, " and this I give him as a 
testimony of my sense of his attachment to me, 
and for his faithful services during the revolution- 
ary war. 

Itevu To the Trustees of the Academy of A- 
lexandria, I bequeath 4000 dollars, or, in other 
words, twenty of my shares in the bank of Alex- 
andria, towards the support of a free school, for 
the education of orphans and poor children ; the 
interest or dividend only, to be applied ; this is in 
lieu of an annuity of ;^ 50, which I have for som© 



( 201 ) 

yfars past, paid towards the support of this instil 
tution. 

Item* The fifty shares in the Potomac Canal 
company, which I accepted of upon particular 
terms,* from the legislature of Virginia, as a re- 
compense for my services during the revohition:iry 
war, and for having suggested the advantages 
which the community would derive from an ex- 
tension of inland navigation under legislative pat- 
ronage, I bequeath in perpetuity towards the en- 
dowment of a National University, to he establish- 
ed within the limits of the District of Columbia, 
under the auspices of the general government ; 
and until such seminary is established, the profits 
arising from- these shares, shall he laid out in the 
purchase of stock in the bank of Columbia, or 
some other bank, until a, sum adequate to the ob- 
ject be obtained. 

Itein. My hundred shares irt the James River 
company, I have given, and now confirm, in per- 
petuity to the use of Liberty Kali Academy, Vir- 
ginia. 

Item. I forever release the estate, &c. of my 
deceased brother Samuel Washington, from the 
payment of the money (upv/ards of /" 1000) 
v/hich is due to me for lands which I sold to Phil- 
ip Pendleton, who assigned the same to my broth- 
er, v/ho by agreement was to pay me : An4 
whereas two sons of my said brother Samuel, 
ram.ed Geo: S. Washington, and Lawrence A. 
Washington, came under my protection, and 03- 
* See page 110. 



( 202 ) ' 

casioned advances on my part for tlieir education 
at college, &c. for board, cloathing. and other inci i 
dental expenses, to the amount of near 5000 dol 
lars, which it may be inconvenient for them, oi 
I he estate to refund, Tor which reasons I do here 
by acquit them and the estate from the payment 
thereof. 

Item, The balance due me from the estate oi 
Bartholomew Dandridge, deceased, (my wife'i 
brother) amounting, in 1795, to / 425, T release and 
acquit, and the 33 Negroes, formerly belonging to 
said estate, but who were sold on execution, and 
purchased on my account, and by me, suffered to 
remain in possession of Mary his widow, together 
with their increase, shall continue in her posses- 
sion during her life, without anyvcompesantion j 
but at her death, all who are aged 40 yesrs, or up- 
M'ards, shall receive their freedom, all under that 
age, and upwards of 1 6, shall serve seven years lon- 
ger, and then be free, and all under 16 years, shall 
serve until they are 25 years, and then be free. ' 

Itejii. Charles Carter, who married my neice 
Betty Lew^is, shall receive from my executors, b, 
sufficient title to the lots in Fredericksburgh, 
which he had of me. 

Item. To my nephew, \Vm. A. Washington, 
I bequeath lot No. 265, in the town of Manches- 
ter, my tenth of certaiji lots in the city and vicin- 
ity of Richmond, as also lot No. 130, in the town 
9f Edinburgh, Virginia. 



Item, To my nephew Bushrod Washington, 
give and bequeath all the papers in my pos- 
session, which relate to my civil and military 
idministration of the affairs this country : I 
leave to him also, such of my private papers as 
are worth preserving ;and at the deceaseeof my 
kvife and before, if she is not inclined to retain 
them, I give and bequeath my library of books 
and pamphlets of every kind. 

Item. Having sold certain lands which 1 pos- 
sessed in Pennsylvania, and in New- York, my 
share in Great Dismal Swamp, and a tract in the. 
county of Gloucester, withholding the titles until 
the consideration should be paid, also having leas- 
ed and conditionally sold, all my lands on the 
Great Kanhawa, and a tract upon Difficult Run, 
whenever these tracts are fulfilled,the money shall 
be vested in bank stock, the interest whereof I 
give to my wife during her life, but the stock it- 
self shall be subject to the destribution hereafter 
willed. 

Item. To the Earl of Buchan I re-commit " the 
box made of the oak that sheltered the great Sir 
William Wallace, after the battle of Falkirk;" 
pre?ented to- me by his lordship, in terms too 
flattering for me to repeat, with a request " to 
pass it, on the event of my decease, to the mau 
in my country, who should appear to merit it be:;t 
upon the same conditions that have induced him 
io send it to me." Whether easy or not to ? ^ 



( 204 ) 

lect the man who might comport with his lord- 
ship's opinion in this respect, is not for me to say ; 
hijt conceiving that no disposition of this valuable 
curiosity can be more eligible than the re commit- 
ir.ent of it to his own cabinet, agreeably to the 
original design of the Goldsmith's company of 
Edinburgh, who presented it to him, and, at his 
request, consented that it should be transferred to 
me ; I bequeath the same to his lordship ; and, 
in case of his decease, to his heir, with my grate- 
ful thanks for the distinguished honour of present? 
ing it to me, and more especially for the favoura- 
bie sentiments with which he accompanied it. 
lum. To my Brother, Charles Washington, I 
:,ncath the gold headed cane left me by Dr. 
ink (in in his will. To the acquaintances and 
iiiends of my juvenile years, Laurence "Washing- 
toPj and Robert Washington of Chotanck, I give 
vr.y other two golheadc-d cane^, having my arms en- 
graved on them, and to each (as they wHi be useful 
where they live) I lev/e one of the spy-glasses, 
which constituted part of my equipage during the 
I.ite war. "i o my compatriot in arms and old and in- 
limatefriend, Dr. Craik, I give my bureau (or as the 
cabinet makers call it, tambour Lecr«-tary) and the 
circular chair, an appendage to my study. To 
Dr. David Stuart, 1 give m.y large shaving and 
dressing table, and my telescope. To the Rev. 
now Bryan Dord Fairfax, I give a bible in Uiree 
large folio volumes, with notes presented tome 
?^. ^ '^'; mas Wilson, Bishop of So- 



( 205 ) 

dot and Ma«i, To General de la Fayette, I give a 
pair of finely wrought steel Pistols, taken from 
llie enemy during the revolutionary war. ^ To 
my sisters-in-law, Hannah Washington and Mil- 
dred Washington, to my friends Elenor Stuart, 
Hannah Washington, of Fairfield, and Elizabeth 
Washington, of Hayfield, 1 give, each a mourn- 
ing ring, of' the value of one hundred Dollars. 
These beqaests are not made for the intrinsic val- 
ue of them, but as mementos of my esteem and 
regard. To Tobias Lear, I give the use of the 
farm which he now holds free from rent during 
his life. To Sally B. Hanie (a distant relation of 
mine) I give and bequeath three hundred dollars. 
To Sarah Green, Daughter of the deceased Thom- 
■^s Bishop, and to Ann Walker, daughter of John 
Alton, also deceased, I give each one hundred doU 
iars, in consideration of the attachment of their fa- 
thers to me : each of v. horn having lived nearly 
forty yea.rs in my family. To each of my neph- 
ews, Wm, A. AVashington, Geo ; Lewis, Geo : 
3. Washington, Bushrcd WasLhington, and Sam. 
Washing-ton, I give one of the Swords or cutteaux 
of which I may die possessed : and they are to 
chooce in the order tliey are named. These 
ss\'jrd;j are accompanied with an injunction not 
to unsheath them for the purpose of shedding 
blood, except it be for self defence, or in defence 
a: their country and its rights ; and in the latter 
vase, to keep them unsheathed, and prefer frilling 
with them in their hands to the rehn---'-' ^ 
Ihereoi". 



( 206 ) 

Item. To my nephew Buslirod Washingtofi, 
and hi^ heirs, I bequeath al! that part of Mount 
Vernon, jnchided within the following limits, 
[here the original will desmbes the boundariei] con- 
taining upwards of 4000 acres, v/ith the mansion 
house, and all other improvements : Secondly^ To 
Geo ; F. Washington; and Lawrence A. Wash- 
ington, and their heirs, to be equally divided be- 
tween them, I give my estate of Little Hunting 
< ;^eek, lying on the Potomack containing 
202T acres, with the improvements thereon :— 
Thirdly^ I bequeath to Laurence Lewis and his 
wife, and their heirs, all the residue of Mount 
Vernon, containing about 2000 acres, together 
's^^ith the mill, distillery, and other improvements. 
Murlhly^ I bequeath to Geo. AVashington Park 
Custis, the Grandson of my wife, my tract on 
four mile run, containing 1200 acres and my en- 
■tire square. No. 21, in thf*«:ity of Washington. 

[The residue of his estate real -and personal^ 
the general requests to be sold by his executors 
to the best advantage, and the monies arising 
therefrom to be divided into twenty-three equal 
parts, v/hich he bequeaths equally, to his owm 
and to his wife's relations, specifying their names.] 

The Family Vault at Mount Vernon, re- 
quiring repairs, and being improperly situated, I 
desire that a new one of brick, and upon a 
larger scale, may be built on the ground which 
is marked out ; in which my rem.ains, with 
those of my dec?as(.d r-r'ations (now in f]\e rid 



( 2or ) 

Tault) and such others of my family as may 
choose to be entomed there, may be deposited. 
And it is my express desire, that my corps may 
be interred in a private manner, without parade 
or funeral oration. 

Lastly. I constitute and appoint my dearly be- 
loved wife Martha Washington, my nephews 
Wm. Augustine Washington, Bushrod Washing- 
ton, Geo : S, Washington, Samuel Washington, 
and Laurence Lewis, and my ward, Geo : Wash- 
ington P. Custis, (when he shall have arrived a* 
the age of 20 years) executrix and executors of this 
WILL and 'B£STAMENT. 



D8 ) 



v/ritinr , 
it ; he " 
constrii 't' >,i 
with r^ n -^ 
design '-f 
2 ith ) r.'u,r 
States of 
followln^j; .^t 
gold with ^ 



of it, rj 
s and e- 



r the General's ovi'n hand 

ii ^scribed to every page of 

' r-tfessional character in the 

: ih; accompanies every itetn, 

!'^i itions of the meaning and 



:m : it is c.ited July 9th, 1799, and 



.4 the 
vulericj 



indtiendence of the United 
.\ inexed to the will is the 



-.edule 0' '.Id property directed to be 
moderate -a uatioii of their worth. 



AN VU^GINIA. 

ji^aes. Price, Dolh, 
Leudoin j. Diliici.i i. ;n, 300 6,6d& 

I^udorn '..nd ^ixxLo-^rr. 

\?hby'sP , i481 lod. 24,81 0>^ 
Chatt-ns ' 8S.5 8 7^080 >, 

T^erkd '^^S-lor-. r i:;!, kin 1600 
ITeadotj: .:ns'bm. 4; 3 
la WoTtjaley's line, io3 



Freder'i "•■ 

Mer. - 
Ilamp -ire, oa P-. "t/riuic 

rive 
Gl«uci 

Nanse 
3d( 



^ t^. 



2235 


20 Ai,n^ 


{- 571 


23 11,420 


\ 240 

400 


15 3,600 
about 3,G00 


'X 373 


8 2.981 



( 211 ) 

Potofi'ac Ccmpafiy. 
Tvventy-four Shares cost each lOOO/. 

5terling, 10,66 

JnmeS'Rwer Ccrnpanj/, 
Vive Shares each each cost 100 dollars, 50 

Bairk of Calutnh'ia. ^ 

One hundred and 70 Sliares, 40 dollars 'W' 

each, 6,80 

Bank cj Jlexar.u'ii. 
Besides 20 Shares to the Free School-^ 

Five !. 

STOCK LIVING, viz. 
One covering Horse, five c:irna^e Hor^e^, foui 
ding ditto, six brood Mares, twenty wor* 
Horaes and Mares, two covering Jacks, arid tl 
young ones, ten she Asses, 42 working M 
1-5 younger cnes, 329 head 'of horn^ Ca 
640 head of Sheep, and a large stock of B 
the precise number unknown. — lyJ^My ]f- 
ager has estimated this Lire Stock at 70 '' 
I shall set it down in qrder to mf ' 
iiim at 



LIBRARY 




